ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Welfare

Ann Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many circuses are resident in the UK; which use wild animals; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: There are three conventional circuses resident in the Great Britain which use wild and exotic animals.
	We do not have any data for Northern Ireland.

Beddingham Landfill Site

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons the landfill site at Beddingham has been refused a licence to operate by the Environment Agency.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 30 June 2005
	In order to avoid confusion, I should explain that the Environment Agency has refused to issue a Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) permit for the site in question, rather than a licence. Under the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 all landfill sites operating under the terms of a waste management licence are required to apply for a PPC permit which places more stringent requirements on the operator, in line with the EU Landfill Directive.
	The Environment Agency has refused the application for a Pollution Prevention and Control permit for Beddingham landfill site, as submitted, on two grounds. Firstly, leachate from the landfill currently poses an unacceptable risk to groundwater surrounding the site. The application as submitted does not adequately address this issue. Secondly, improvements to the site's liner system (intended to control the escape of leachate and gas from the site) are required. This has not been adequately addressed in the application either. It should however be noted that the site poses no significant risk to human health.
	Under the regulations, the operator has six months to appeal the refusal or make a fresh application. Under the regulations, the site may continue to receive waste in the meantime. In the event that the operator decides to appeal the decision or makes a fresh application, the site can also continue to receive waste while these matters are dealt with. Negotiations between the operator and the Environment Agency are ongoing to resolve the reasons for refusal. It is likely that these negotiations will conclude with a new application for a PPC permit for this site.

Bees

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the increased costs to beekeepers resulting from adoption of the EC directive 2004/28 regarding the supply of veterinary products and inspections; and what discussions she has had with British beekeepers on this matter.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 30 June 2005
	Directive 2004/28/EC amends directive 2001/82/EC, which sets out requirements for the authorisation and control of veterinary medicines. It was published by the European Commission on 30 April 2004 following a major review of EU medicines legislation. Member states are required to implement its provisions by 30 October 2005.
	During negotiations in Brussels, a requirement to restrict the distribution of veterinary medicinal products for food producing animals, including honeybees, to prescription supply was presented with the intention of strengthening the control of these medicines and related consumer safeguards. While there are valid reasons for restricting some veterinary medicines to prescription supply, we do not consider this appropriate for all medicines for use in food-producing animals. Neither the commission nor the majority of member states supported the UK view and the requirement was consequently taken forward in the amending directive. We are aware that this provision has the potential to increase the costs to beekeepers of obtaining medicines by incurring additional veterinary charges.
	However, the UK successfully negotiated the inclusion of a provision that allows medicines that meet certain criteria, to be agreed subsequently, to be exempt from the prescription requirement. This provision also allows the current distribution arrangements to remain until a list of exemption criteria is agreed, or until January 2007 if no list has been agreed by then. This exemption list is to be proposed by the commission andvoted on by the member states. Officials at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) are well aware of the concerns expressed by beekeepers and continue to argue strongly for medicines authorised for use in bees to be included on this list. The commission has not yet proposed a list and it may be some time before the outcome is known.
	In addition to pressing for bee medicines to be exempted from the prescription requirement, we have proposed new distribution categories for the UK that include tiered categories of prescription only medicines (ROMs). If adopted, these will comply with the directive's provisions while allowing veterinary medicines for food-producing animals that are currently available without prescription to continue to be supplied by pharmacists or registered merchants without the need to involve a veterinary surgeon.
	VMD officials are working closely with beekeeper representatives and are making arrangements for the beekeepers to speak to a meeting of EU medicines regulators under the UK presidency.

Bovine TB

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of cattle in England are estimated to have contracted bovine tuberculosis, broken down by region.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 20 June 2005
	The number and percentage of cattle herds in Great Britain placed under movement restriction as a result of a bovine TB breakdown during 2004 is shown in the following table. The information is not available on a UK basis.
	
		
			 Region(1) Number of cattle herds registered on State Veterinary Service database Number of cattle herds under TB restriction Percentage of cattle herds under TB restriction 
		
		
			 England—West 23,471 3,451 14.7 
			 England—North 25,698 481 1.9 
			 England—East 12,907 130 1.0 
			 England—Total 62,076 4,062 6.5 
			 Wales 15,495 1,065 6.9 
			 Scotland 14,718 117 0.8 
			 GB Total 92,289 5,244 5.7 
		
	
	(1)Relates to the former State Veterinary Service Regions.
	Note:
	Data downloaded from the State Veterinary Service database on 8/9 February 2005 and published on the Defra website. All data are provisional and subject to change as more data become available.

Bovine TB

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the locations of the proposed trial of the badger TB vaccine.

Ben Bradshaw: We are currently considering a number of potential locations in south west England. Once potential locations have been identified we will seek landowner permission to carry out the proposed trial.

Carbon Sequestration

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the legal impediments to the use of depleted gas and oil fields for carbon sequestration purposes.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 27 June 2005
	The placement of materials in the maritime area (which includes geological structures under the seabed) is regulated internationally by the London Convention and the 1996 protocol to the Convention, and by the OSPAR Convention for the protection of the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic. The 1996 protocol to the London Convention is not yet in force, but has been ratified by the United Kingdom and we would expect to abide by its provisions.
	The question of the compatibility of carbon dioxide placement in geological structures, including depleted or partly depleted oil and gas fields, has been discussed in both conventions.
	Under both conventions, there is no bar on the use of carbon dioxide for operational purposes. This implies that carbon sequestration in association with enhanced oil recovery would be permitted.
	The contracting parties to the OSPAR convention agreed a position statement on carbon sequestration in 2004. This established that in other certain circumstances carbon sequestration is compatible with the convention. The position is set out in full in Annex 12 to the summary record of the 2004 meeting of the OSPAR Commission. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House, and it is also available on the OSPAR web site, www.ospar.org.
	The United Kingdom raised the issue of the carbon sequestration during the 2004 consultative meeting of the parties to the London Convention. The legal position has not yet been established. It was agreed to set up an inter-sessional correspondence group to consider the legal issues raised under both the convention and the 1996 protocol. The UK is coordinating the work of this group. The issue will be discussed again at the 2005 consultative meeting in October, when results of the inter-sessional work will be considered.
	Any proposed project for carbon sequestration would also need to comply with relevant European directives and domestic legislation, for example in relation to the assessment environmental impacts and to the protection of the environment.

Energy Efficiency

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will use the UK presidency of the European Council to promote responses to the new European Commission Green Paper on energy efficiency.

Elliot Morley: The Government welcome the publication of the European Commission's Green Paper on Energy Efficiency, Doing More With Less". The priority that the Commission is attaching to this important initiative is entirely consistent with our own aims and objectives under the UK presidency. We are sure that the Green Paper will act as an important catalyst for action on energy efficiency issues and recognition of its importance in tackling climate change and hope that the process will lead to an ambitious plan of action.
	Under the UK presidency, the Government will therefore look to pro-actively encourage responses to the Green Paper as part of the wider public debate on energy efficiency which the Commission have launched. We are already in discussion with the Commission about hosting an internationally focused energy efficiency event drawing on the European Commission Green Paper as well as the experience and knowledge of a wide cross section of international experts and we will also look to encourage the debate in other fora.

Environment Agency

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much revenue she estimates the Environment Agency will receive from companies which register their premises with regards to collections of waste; under what legislation such registration is a requirement; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 21 June 2005
	The Environment Agency estimates that producer notification of premises producing hazardous waste will generate an income of £2.25 million in a full year of operation to assist in meeting their costs of administering the new regime. This is a requirement of the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 (Statutory Instrument number 2005894). This funding will enable the Environment Agency to begin to target its resources on compliance activity and carry out periodic inspections of hazardous waste producers as required by the Hazardous Waste Directive.

Flood Protection

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the (a) current and (b) future level of flood protection necessary for Canvey Island; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency's assessment is that Canvey Island is protected by sea defences to a standard which is among the highest in the country. The sea walls around Canvey Island currently provide protection against coastal flooding in all but the most extreme conditions (those with a probability of occurrence of less than 0.1 per cent. in any one year). By the year 2030, on the assumption of no further improvements to the current defences, it is estimated that protection would be slightly reduced to a level effective against events with a probability equal to 0.1 per cent. in any one year.
	The Environment Agency has initiated a project, 'Thames Estuary 2100', to address the impacts of future climate change and sea level rise on the Thames estuary (including Canvey Island). More accurate assessments of the standards of sea walls in the Thames estuary are being undertaken as part of this overall project. Once this work has been completed, the need for any greater protection can be assessed.
	The final Plan of the Thames Estuary 2100 project is due in 2008.

Flood Protection

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance the Environment Agency has issued on single-storey development in areas susceptible to flooding; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: I understand the Environment Agency has not itself issued any specific national guidance on single-storey development in areas susceptible to flooding. However, it has worked closely with the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), who have recently issued guidance on the development of bungalows and single-storey dwellings in areas at risk of flooding, as part of CIRIA Guidance Development and flood risk—Guidance to the construction industry".
	Government policy for effective national management of flood risk is to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Planning Policy Guidance Note 25 Development and Flood Risk" cautions planning authorities to take particular care in respect of proposed single-storey developments behind existing sea defences because of the speed of flooding in such circumstances combined with no means of escape to an upper floor.

Flood Protection

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what future works are planned on Canvey Island's flood defences; when they are expected to start; and what the expected cost is.

Elliot Morley: I understand the Environment Agency's plans for flood defence improvement work on Canvey Island involve the replacement/refurbishment of 12 pumping stations to improve the level of fluvial defence to reduce the chance of flooding in any one year from 10 per cent. to 0.5 per cent.
	The existing pumping stations have reached the end of their design life and also require some modifications if Environment Agency staff are to operate and maintain them safely.
	I understand work began on 27 June 2005 and will be carried out on a 'one by one' basis over 18 months. The construction cost for these works is estimated at £3.5 million. The Canvey Island Drainage Improvement Scheme as a whole will be £5.79 million.

Honours

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many officials currently in the Department received honours in the recent Queen's Birthday Honours List; and at what rank of honour.

Jim Knight: Within Defra one official received a CBE, two received OBEs, one an MBE. Also one official in the Forestry Commission received an MBE.
	A full listing can be found in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Hutton) on 22 June 2005, Official Report, column 1059W.

Interceptor Tunnel (River Thames)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the latest estimate is of the cost of building an interceptor tunnel for the River Thames;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2005, Official Report, columns 1119–21W, on the River Thames (pollution), when she expects the report by her officials and the Thames Tideway Strategic Study Steering Group to be completed.

Elliot Morley: The latest estimate, at 2004 prices, of building the large 35 km interceptor tunnel and the associated treatment facilities proposed by the Thames Tideway Strategic Study Group is £1.7 billion.
	The further report from the Thames Tideway Strategic Study Steering Group report is expected to be completed and submitted to Ministers and the Office of Water Services this summer.

Litter

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to discourage the dropping of litter on streets; what penalties apply to the offence; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: It is an offence under section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to thrown down, drop or otherwise deposit any litter in any place in the area of a principal litter authority which is open to the air. A person found guilty of the offence may be fined up to £2,500 in a magistrates court. Section 88 of the 1990 Act also enables local authorities to issue fixed penalties for the offence as an alternative to prosecution. The level of fixed penalties in England is currently set at £50.
	Government have recently introduced new legislation to discourage the dropping of litter through the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. Until 7 June this year, it was only an offence to drop litter on land to which the public have access. This has now been extended to cover all types of land, including private land and land covered by water, sending out a clear message that the dropping of litter anywhere is unacceptable.
	The Act also contains changes to the fixed penalty notice regime which will be brought into force in April next year. It will enable local authorities to authorise officers other than their own employees to issued fixed penalties for litter, and additionally, will extend this power to parish councils. This will help to discourage littering by widening the range of officers that are able to take immediate enforcement action.
	At the same time, local authorities will be given the freedom to set the level of fixed penalties themselves within a range set out by the Secretary of State in regulations, and to offer discounts for early payment. A standard default amount of £75 will apply if the local authority chooses not to exercise this power. The Act will make it an offence for someone to fail to supply their name and address or to give a false name or address, when requested to do so by an authorised officer serving an FPN. This will deter people from dropping litter by increasing on-the-spot fines and giving enforcement officers more effective powers.
	The Government are seeking to discourage littering not only through improved legislation and enforcement, but also by educating people about the responsible disposal of litter and highlighting the link between irresponsible disposal, poor health, a degraded local environment, and levels of anti-social behaviour. It is for this reason that Defra provides grant-funding to the environmental charity ENCAMS to conduct public awareness campaigns on its behalf. These are targeted at specific groups to reduce types of littering that have been identified as particularly problematic or prevalent. For example, the focus this year is on youth littering and smoking-related litter.

London Sewer Rats

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the local authorities that responded to the consultation on the London Sewer Rat Joint Working Protocol.

Elliot Morley: The Local Government Association (LGA) and Water UK published a joint protocol in 1999 which set out arrangements for a closer working relationship between local authorities and water companies in England and Wales on the issue of rat infestation of sewers. Department records list that the following authorities responded to the survey on the effectiveness of the Protocol:
	Adur district council
	Basildon district council
	Birmingham city council
	Bournemouth borough council
	Braintree district council
	Brentwood borough council
	Brighton and Hove city council
	Bromsgrove district council
	Calderdale council
	Cannock Chase council
	Castle Point borough council
	Cheltenham borough council
	Chiltern district council
	Copeland borough council
	Corby borough council
	Coventry city council
	Craven district council
	Dacorum district council
	Durham council
	East Cambridgeshire district council
	East Dorset district council
	East Northamptonshire council
	Eastleigh council
	Elmbridge borough council
	Enfield council
	Erewash district council
	Fenland district council
	Gravesham council
	Guildford borough council
	Hambleton council
	Harrogate borough council
	Harrow borough council
	Havany borough council
	Havering borough council
	Herefordshire district council
	Hounslow borough council
	Hull city council
	Huntingdonshire district council
	Isle of Wight council
	Macclesfield borough council
	Maldon district council
	Manchester city council
	Mansfield district council
	Mid Bedfordshire council
	Mid Devon district council
	Middlesbrough council
	New Forest district council
	Newcastle Under Lyme borough council
	Newham borough council
	North Somerset council
	North Wiltshire district council
	Peterborough council
	Preston city council
	Richmondshire district council
	Rugby borough council
	Rushcliffe borough council
	Sedgefield borough council
	Sedgemoor district council
	Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council
	Shropshire county council
	South Derbyshire district council
	South Gloucestershire council
	South Northamptonshire council
	Tandridge district council
	Tonbridge and Malling borough council
	Trafford Metropolitan borough council
	Uttlesford district council
	Wakefield Metropolitan district council
	Warwick district council
	Waveney council
	West Lancashire district council
	Weymouth and Portland borough council
	Winchester city council
	Worthing borough council

London Sewer Rats

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to establish closer working relationships between London boroughs and water companies in relation to the London Sewer Rat Joint Working Protocol; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Department is awaiting publication of the rodent element of the English House Condition Survey (EHCS) before deciding what further action is appropriate. This document is due for publication this summer.

London Sewer Rats

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2005, Official Report, column 1041W, whether (a) Barnet council, (b) Thames Water and (c) Three Valleys Water submitted responses to the consultation on the London Sewer Rat Joint Working Protocol.

Elliot Morley: The Department has no record of Barnet council providing a response. Responses were not sought from water companies.

Packaging

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take further steps to encourage companies to reduce the amount of packaging goods are sold in.

Ben Bradshaw: There are currently two sets of Regulations which cover packaging in the UK; both of which encourage producers to minimise packaging. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended) are intended to increase the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. The amount of packaging waste producers have to recover and recycle is determined, in part, by the amount of packaging they handle. Producers can therefore save money if they use less packaging. The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003 (as amended) place a number of requirements on all packaging placed on the market in the UK, including a requirement that packaging should be manufactured so that the packaging volume and weight are limited to the minimum adequate amount to maintain the necessary level of safety, hygiene and acceptance for the packed product and for the consumer.
	Both regulations have led to decreases in the amount of packaging used around products. However, more still needs to be done to reduce the amount of packaging thatis produced in the first place. The Government's Advisory Committee on Packaging is working with industry to find ways of encouraging businesses to further reduce the amount of packaging they use.
	Although legislation is one way of reducing packaging consumers also have a part to play. For example, if consumers made a point of choosing goods that are not heavily packaged, or bought 'loose food' rather than pre-packaged, or used their own shopping bags or boxes, manufacturers would be more inclined to reduce the quantity of packaging on their products.

Packaging

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to make companies responsible for recycling and disposing of packaging from the goods they sell.

Ben Bradshaw: The management of packaging waste is already addressed in the UK through the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended). As an extension of the 'polluter pays principle', the Regulations oblige businesses in the packaging chain, which have an annual turnover of more than £2 million and which handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging a year, to recover and recycle a specified amount of packaging waste each year which is determined, in part, by the amount of packaging they handle. These Regulations are intended to drive minimisation of packaging and packaging waste, encourage reuse of packaging and increase the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. They have succeeded so far in raising the recycling rate for packaging waste from around 27 per cent. in 1997 to 49.5 per cent. in 2004.

Packaging

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration has been given to requiring manufacturers to display information on all product packaging relating to the environmental impact of the packaging used, with particular reference to non-recyclable material.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 30 June 2005
	Most, if not all packaging is recyclable. Commission Decision 97/129/EC provides for numbering and abbreviations to identify packaging materials. While the marking system is voluntary, we would encourage manufacturers to use the markings wherever possible to aid the process of sorting and recycling of packaging waste.

Recycling (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many recycling points there are in each London borough per 1,000 population.

Ben Bradshaw: The number of recycling points in each London borough per 1,000 population are listed in the table.
	
		
			  London borough Number of recycling points per 1,000 population 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 0.4 
			 Barnet 0.2 
			 Bexley 0.4 
			 Brent 0.4 
			 Bromley 0.2 
			 Camden 0.7 
			 Corporation of London 1.8 
			 Croydon 0.1 
			 Ealing 0.2 
			 Enfield 1.3 
			 Greenwich 0.3 
			 Hackney 0.4 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0.5 
			 Haringey 0.8 
			 Harrow 0.2 
			 Havering 0.1 
			 Hillingdon 0.3 
			 Hounslow 0.3 
			 Islington 0.9 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 1.3 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 0.2 
			 Lambeth 0.1 
			 Lewisham 0.2 
			 Merton 0.2 
			 Newham 0.5 
			 Redbridge 0.3 
			 Richmond upon Thames 0.7 
			 Southwark 1.0 
			 Sutton 1.1 
			 Tower Hamlets 1.6 
			 Waltham Forest 1.1 
			 Wandsworth 1.6 
			 Westminster 1.0 
			 Total London 0.6 
		
	
	(2)'Recycling points' include both civic amenity and recycling sites situated within each London borough. Civic amenity and recycling site numbers are taken from the 2003–04 Defra/GLA municipal waste management survey.
	Source:
	Population data are taken from the National Statistics' website and are mid-year estimates for 2003.

River Thames

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated number of fish in the River Thames was in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: The Environment Agency and its predecessor organisations have performed a biannual qualitative fisheries survey on the tidal River Thames since 1992. However, the dynamic nature of estuaries, with highly mobile and widely dispersed fish populations means that no quantitative data is available to estimate fish numbers using currently available methodologies. This is the case throughout Europe for estuarine fish populations. Recent EC FAIR (June 2000) research 1 identified our current fisheries monitoring programme as 'Best Practice'. The primary objective of this survey programme is to provide a consistent data set to detect trends and new species in the Thames.
	1 European Commission FAIR report, Commercial Fish and European Estuaries—Priorities for Management and Research". Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies, June 2000.

River Thames

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what forecasts were made of the number of times the Thames Barrier would be closed in each year since its inception.

Elliot Morley: The Thames Barrier is operated by the Environment Agency. At the design stage of the barrier the forecast number of closures was 1–2 per year in the 1980s when the barrier first became operational, gradually rising to approximately 30 by the year 2030 or broken down as follows:
	
		
			  Closures per year 
		
		
			 1990 5 
			 2000 10 
			 2015 20 
		
	
	Forecasting the frequency of future closures of the barrier depends on two principal factors:
	(a) the impacts of climate change on sea and river levels—based on the climate change scenarios currently available; and
	(b) the extent to which these levels may be reduced by other flood risk management measures used within the Thames Estuary in conjunction with operation of the barrier.

Waste Management Licences

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will review the (a) waste management licence requirements for small, low-risk biofuel processes and (b) the regulatory burden relating to on-farm composters.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) Officials are about to open a review of waste management licensing exemptions and would consider this the best place to look at representations for amendment of the exemptions regime. The review will consider representations about the inherent risks that the processing of biofuels may pose to the environment and to human health. The review will evaluate whether any activity in connection with the processing of bio fuels for recovery should be eligible for exempt from waste management licensing.
	(b) We announced the consultation on the draft Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 on 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 106WS. One of the main purposes of the draft Regulations is to apply to agricultural waste the national controls that are in place to comply with the Waste Framework Directive and which currently apply to all other sectors of industry and types of waste. The consultation paper included a Regulatory Impact Assessment and is available in the Library of the House and on the Department's website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/agwaste-regs/index.htm. The consultation closed on 18 March 2005 and we are currently considering the responses to it.

Water Leaks

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much leakage from the mains water supply in London there has been in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Director General of Water Services publishes leakage figures annually in the Security of Supply, Leakage and the Efficient Use of Water" report. Ofwat will publish the figures for 2004–05 in July and the formal report towards the end of 2005.
	Ofwat do not publish leakage figures for the London area. However data are available for Thames Water's area of supply, which covers London and other areas. Total Thames Water leakage, in megalitres per day, for the last five years was reported as follows:
	
		
			  Ml/d 
		
		
			 1999–2000 662 
			 2000–01 688 
			 2001–02 865 
			 2002–03 943 
			 2003–04 946

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Criminal Offences

John Penrose: To ask the Solicitor-General what procedures (a) Government Departments and agencies and (b) local authorities with independent prosecuting authority for criminal offences use to forward details of convictions, cautions and intelligence on possible criminals to (i) the Criminal Records Bureau and (ii)the Police National Computer; what amendments to these procedures are proposed in relation to the National Intelligence Database; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Parental Responsibility

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Solicitor-General what discussions he has had with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on the CPS's ability to prosecute under the existing provision in law for parents being held accountable for the behaviour of their children.

Mike O'Brien: I regularly meet with the Director of Public Prosecutions to discuss criminal justice issues; however, we have not had any formal discussions on this topic.
	Parents are encouraged to accept responsibilities for the behaviour of their children.
	Where problems exist, parents could be made subject to parenting orders if they have either failed to cooperate with the terms of a parenting contract or have been uncooperative during the course of voluntary efforts to tackle their child's behaviour. If they then fail to comply with the terms of the order, they may be prosecuted for breaching it.
	Youth courts also have the power to impose parental bindovers on the parents of young people who have been convicted of an offence, but these are rarely used.
	Breaches of parenting orders and parental bindovers are the only measures available to the CPS to hold parents accountable for the behaviour of their children.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Rent Officers

Paul Goodman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authority rent officers have been employed (a) in England and (b) by each local authority on average in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: I have been asked to reply.
	The administration of The Rent Service is a matter for the Chief Executive, Charlotte Copeland. She will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Charlotte Copeland to Mr. Paul Goodman
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about the numbers of rent officers employed since 1997.
	Rent officers have not been employed by individual Local Authorities since 1 October 1999. From that date, rent officers have been employees of The Rent Service (TRS), which is now an executive agency of Department of Work and Pensions. The figures shown in the table are from 1 October 1999 only, as we do not hold information prior to this date.
	As TRS covers England as a whole, its organisational structure does not match local authority boundaries. However, in the spirit of your question, I have provided the average number of rent officers by TRS operational areas.
	
		Average number of rent officers in England
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 London 84 104 83 68 60 64 
			 East 29 35 28 23 21 22 
			 South East 38 43 46 35 35 34 
			 South West 45 47 36 32 32 34 
			 West Midlands 28 29 30 27 27 27 
			 East Midlands 19 24 19 20 19 20 
			 North West 62 66 58 60 52 59 
			 North East 18 21 18 19 15 17 
			 Yorkshire 35 40 34 32 32 26 
			 Total 358 409 352 316 293 303 
		
	
	Note:
	The figures for 1999–2000 cover the period from 1 October 1999 (ie the date The Rent Service was established) to 31 March 2000 only. All other figures are the average for the financial year 1 April to 31 March.

Standards Board

Theresa May: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average length of time taken to complete an investigation by the Standards Board for England has been since it was set up.

Phil Woolas: Over the whole life of the Standards Board for England, the average time taken by officers of the Board to complete investigations into allegations that the code of conduct for local authority members has been breached is seven months.

Standards Board

Theresa May: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many cases the Standards Board for England has investigated since its establishment relating to (a) county councils, (b) district councils, (c) metropolitan borough councils, (d) unitary authorities, (e) parish councils and (f) town councils.

Phil Woolas: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Authority to which the allegation refers Number of allegations investigated by officers of the Standards Board 
		
		
			 County council 86 
			 District council 832 
			 Metropolitan borough council 172 
			 Unitary authority 264 
			 Parish and town council(3) 1,858 
		
	
	(3)Statistics in respect of parish and town councils are grouped together.

TRANSPORT

A21 Upgrade

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the issuing of draft orders on the proposed upgrade of the A21.

Stephen Ladyman: All the schemes for the upgrading the A21 have been referred to the regions for their advice on priorities. On receipt of this advice a programme for the delivery of the schemes will be produced. Draft orders for each of the schemes will be published to meet this programme.

Air Travellers (Financial Protection)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)'s estimate of the number of UK leisure passengers who flew without financial protection in 2004; and if he will bring forward legislation to ensure that affected UK passengers can be repatriated by the CAA in the event of a major airline failure.

Karen Buck: The Department is aware of the trend for consumers to make their own travel arrangements, rather than buy package holidays that are protected by the ATOL scheme. The Civil Aviation Authority has provided advice to the Government on a range of options, including an extension of the scope of financial protection to cover passengers on all flights. We are currently considering that advice and will then decide whether to bring forward appropriate legislation.

Air Travellers (Financial Protection)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2005, Official Report, column 1259W, on air travellers (financial protection), what the timetable is for formal consultation on his proposals; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: The Government have not yet reached a decision in relation to the scope of air passenger financial protection.

Aviation Ministers

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list aviation Ministers since May 1997, indicating the dates between which they held office.

Karen Buck: There is no post designated as aviation Minister". My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had responsibility for all forms of transport, including aviation, since the formation of the Department on 29 May 2002. He has been supported by other members of his ministerial team.

Civil Aviation (Missile Defence)

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of microwave technologies for deflecting shoulder-fired missiles in the civil aviation sector.

Karen Buck: There are a number of technologies capable of defeating shoulder-fired missiles of which microwave-based is one. The Government are considering whether such systems could be realistically applied to civil aviation.

Classic Aircraft (Insurance Costs)

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of regulations on the costs of insurance for classic aircraft.

Karen Buck: The coming into force earlier this year of EU Regulation 785/2004 obliged almost all UK operators of non-commercial aircraft to meet minimum requirements for passenger and third party insurance. In some cases aircraft operators have had to raise their level of cover, which has resulted in an increase in premium. We are aware of only one case where this has caused difficulty in relation to classic aircraft, but through the efforts of the' insurance industry and a commercial sponsor, this problem has been resolved. The European Commission is aware of the difficulties faced by some owners of classic aircraft and has agreed to consider an amendment to the Regulation.

Community Transport

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial support his Department has given to community transport schemes in each year since 1997.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport values the role that community transport plays in delivering transport services to communities and individuals who would otherwise be socially excluded. We support their activities in a wide variety of ways.
	The Department funds the information and advice service provided by the Community Transport Association. The CTA provides an extensive service to community transport operators and local authorities on a range of legal and operational issues. The following is the funding given by the Department to the Community Transport Association from 1997–98 financial year onwards.
	
		
			 Financial year Grant 
		
		
			 1997–98 70 
			 1998–99 70 
			 1999–2000 70 
			 2000–01 100 
			 2001–02 100 
			 2002–03 100 
			 2003–04 100 
			 2004–05 100 
			 2005–06 125 
			 Total to date 835 
		
	
	The Department also publishes guidance on the type of services that can be run and the legal framework for them.
	A substantial proportion of the total of 400 projects awarded funding since 1998 under the Rural and Urban Bus Challenge competitions involve support for community transport services. Prior to this there was no specific bus funding in support of community transport schemes.
	Over 800 community transport schemes have been granted eligibility to claim Bus Service Operators Grant since the broadening of the scheme in 2002 to include these schemes. Amounts of grant claimed under this scheme by community transport operators are as follows.
	
		
			  Grant claimed (£ million) 
		
		
			 2002–03 0.67 
			 2003–04 2.81 
			 2004–05 4.52

Departmental Staff (Stress)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: It is difficult to differentiate between work-related and non work-related stress absence. Experience has shown that stress related absences are often due to a combination of work and personal circumstances. We are also aware that some staff are reluctant to report that their absence has been as a result of stress.
	The following information relates to 'all' stress related absences reported by staff over the last two years which includes anxiety, nervous debility, neurosis, emotional upset and stress:
	
		
			  Days lost due to all stress related absence  Cost of absence (£) 
		
		
			 2003 34,092 2,792,493 
			 2004 37,539 3,127,546 
		
	
	We do not have the complete figures for 2002.
	There has been one compensation claim settled at a cost of £52,000.
	The Department has a stress policy in place and across the Department various proactive measures have been introduced. The measures include guidance to staff by way of workshops and presentations and the provision of guidance leaflets. Training is provided for managers to clarify their role and responsibilities to help reduce stress in themselves and their staff. Well being and lifestyle screening programmes are also being considered. The total cost of these measures is not readily available although some have involved little or no cost.
	The Department also believes in early intervention by occupational health in response to reported stress absences and all staff have access to counselling services.

Driver Vehicle Licensing (Northern Ireland)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency has carried out in the past 12 months regarding the future of Driver Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland Coleraine.

Stephen Ladyman: In September 2004, DVLA initiated a study to examine the feasibility of merging the vehicles registration and licensing operations in Coleraine, (processing NI transactions) and in Swansea, (processing GB transactions).
	The study concluded that there were benefits from integrating the vehicle licensing operations and management to deliver a UK-wide service from a single IT system. However, service to NI customers will continue to be delivered from Coleraine and NI local offices.
	Separate discussions are taking place in respect of the future of driver licensing in Northern Ireland.

Driving Tests (Kent)

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) passes and (b) failures of driving tests there were in each test centre in Kent in each of the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: The following tables show the results, by category of vehicle, of practical driving tests conducted at test centres in Kent in each of the last five years.
	
		Pass and fails in Kent 2000–01 to 2004–05Cars
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass 
		
		
			 Ashford (Kent) 1,004 1,067 2,071 51.5 1,299 1,239 2,538 48.8 
			 Broadstairs (Thanet) 1,130 1,178 2,308 51.0 1,321 1,340 2,661 50.4 
			 Canterbury 1,610 1,216 2,826 43.0 1,451 1,143 2,594 44.1 
			 Folkestone 1,487 1,270 2,757 46.1 1,680 1,359 3,039 44.7 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 2,850 1,959 4,809 40.7 3,516 2,421 5,937 40.8 
			 Gravesend 1,947 1,696 3,643 46.6 2,164 1,845 4,009 46.0 
			 Herne Bay 1,340 1,322 2,662 49.7 1,695 1,672 3,367 49.7 
			 Sevenoaks 1,285 1,172 2,457 47.7 1,291 1,124 2,415 46.5 
			 Tunbridge Wells 1,681 1,660 3,341 49.7 1,667 1,602 3,269 49.0 
			 National pass rate — — — 43.9 — — — 43.4 
		
	
	
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass 
		
		
			 Ashford (Kent) 1,302 1,279 2,581 49.6 1,332 1,338 2,670 50.1 
			 Broadstairs (Thanet) 1,623 1,456 3,079 47.3 1,433 1,359 2,792 48.7 
			 Canterbury 1,556 1,213 2,769 43.8 1,551 1,144 2,695 42.4 
			 Folkestone 2,016 1,560 3,576 43.6 2,650 1,857 4,507 41.2 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 3,566 2,611 6,177 42.3 3,980 2,608 6,588 39.6 
			 Gravesend 2,255 1,703 3,958 43.0 3,211 2,096 5,307 39.5 
			 Herne Bay 1,969 1,770 3,739 47.3 1,908 1,642 3,550 46.3 
			 Sevenoaks 1,771 1,507 3,278 46.0 1,786 1,421 3,207 44.3 
			 Tunbridge Wells 1,974 1,917 3,891 49.3 1,853 1,830 3,683 49.7 
			 National pass rate — — — 43.2 — — — 42.8 
		
	
	
		
			  2004–05 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass 
		
		
			 Ashford (Kent) 1,591 1,588 3,179 50.0 
			 Broadstairs (Thanet) 1,944 1,707 3,651 46.8 
			 Canterbury 1,796 1,323 3,119 42.4 
			 Folkestone 2,366 1,789 4,155 43.1 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 4,508 2,837 7,345 38.6 
			 Gravesend 3,940 2,517 6,457 39.0 
			 Herne Bay 2,577 1,968 4,545 43.3 
			 Sevenoaks 2,710 2,009 4,719 42.6 
			 Tunbridge Wells 2,291 2,303 4,594 50.1 
			 National pass rate — — — 42.1 
		
	
	
		Bike
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass 
		
		
			 Ashford (Kent) 146 317 463 68.5 89 185 274 67.5 
			 Broadstairs (Thanet) 111 287 398 72.1 96 214 310 69.0 
			 Folkestone 93 200 293 68.3 80 182 262 69.5 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 338 576 914 63.0 361 566 927 61.1 
			 Tunbridge Wells 159 317 476 66.6 132 340 472 72.0 
			 National pass rate — — — 66.2 — — — 65.8 
		
	
	
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass 
		
		
			 Ashford (Kent) 2 4 6 66.7 0 0 0 0.0 
			 Broadstairs (Thanet) 108 282 390 72.3 162 345 507 68.0 
			 Folkestone 149 345 494 69.8 146 302 448 67.4 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 456 708 1,164 60.8 408 707 1,115 63.4 
			 Tunbridge Wells 163 353 516 68.4 163 374 537 69.6 
			 National pass rate — — — 64.7 — — — 64.5 
		
	
	
		
			  2004–05 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass 
		
		
			 Ashford (Kent) 0 0 0 0.00 
			 Broadstairs (Thanet) 173 348 521 66.8 
			 Folkestone 101 231 332 69.6 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 381 640 1,021 62.7 
			 Tunbridge Wells 152 341 493 69.2 
			 National pass rate — — — 64.4 
		
	
	
		LGV (Lorry)
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass 
		
		
			 Canterbury LGV 113 99 212 46.7 243 233 476 48.9 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 472 479 951 50.4 741 755 1,496 50.5 
			 National pass rate — — — 53.0 — — — 52.0 
		
	
	
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass 
		
		
			 Canterbury LGV 319 282 601 46.9 334 310 644 48.1 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 818 813 1,631 49.8 751 808 1,559 51.8 
			 National pass rate — — — 49.4 — — — 48.8 
		
	
	
		
			  2004–05 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass 
		
		
			 Canterbury LGV 458 364 822 44.3 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 1,146 1,060 2,206 48.1 
			 National pass rate — — — 46.0 
		
	
	
		PCV(Bus)
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage pass Fail Pass Total Percentage pass 
		
		
			 Canterbury LGV 35 27 62 43:5 38 53 91 58.2 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 74 81 155 52.3 213 159 372 42.7 
			 National pass rate — — — 48.0 — — — 45.0 
		
	
	
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage pass Fail Pass Total Percentage pass 
		
		
			 Canterbury LGV 61 41 102 40.2 44 40 84 47.6 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 324 231 555 41.6 286 217 503 43.1 
			 National pass rate — — — 44.0 — — — 46.0 
		
	
	
		
			  2004–05 
			  Fail Pass Total Percentage Pass 
		
		
			 Canterbury LGV 68 44 112 39.3 
			 Gillingham L and LGV 276 164 440 37.3 
			 National pass rate — — — 44.0

Electric Wheelchairs/Scooters

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to increase the number of electric powered wheelchair and scooter users who take out insurance cover.

Karen Buck: We strongly encourage users of these vehicles to take out insurance cover. However there is no legal obligation for them to do so.
	We are currently reviewing the law which governs the use of powered wheelchairs and powered scooters on the highway and one of the issues we have raised in consultation with stakeholders is whether there should be some form of compulsory insurance. The final report and recommendations from that review are expected in the summer and we will be looking closely at this and a range of other issues.

Heathrow

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made ofthe effects on aircraft noise over Hammersmith and Fulham if the proposed third runway is built at Heathrow.

Karen Buck: Noise exposure estimates for the larger UK airports—including Heathrow with a possible third runway—were published in December 2003 to support the Air Transport White Paper and are in the document Revised Future Aircraft Noise Exposure Estimates for UK Airports", ERCD report 0308, available on the Department's website. They will be reviewed as necessary in the light of further work in hand to assess the prospects for future development at Heathrow, consistent with the conditions laid down in the White Paper.
	The document does not attempt to assess noise impacts by individual London borough, but it includes an explanation of the methodology, figures for households and area affected at different noise levels, and diagrams to illustrate the Leq daytime contours for Heathrow under maximum use of the existing two runways and with a short third runway at various traffic levels.

Helicopter Noise

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce controls on helicopter flights in residential areas to reduce noise nuisance; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: The Government recognise that helicopter noise can be disturbing. UK helicopter noise certification standards exist in relation to helicopter noise and are based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) Annex 16—we both helped to establish, and have adopted, the international standard.
	All civil aircraft fly subject to the legislation of the Air Navigation Order (ANO) and the Rules of the Air Regulations (RoA). These require that helicopters should not fly within 500 feet of any person, vessel, vehicle or structure (except when landing or taking off) nor below 1,000 feet over a congested area. Although these regulations are concerned primarily with safety, the height restrictions do give an incidental noise benefit.
	There are no plans to introduce any further legislation on helicopter noise, but we seek reductions in noise at source by encouraging industry developments in aircraft and engine technology.

House Building (South-east)

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the Government's house building targets for the south-east on (a) traffic flows and (b) consequent noise levels on the M23 between junctions 9 and 10 and on the A23 beyond junction 10.

Stephen Ladyman: Changes to the traffic flows on the M23 between Junctions 9 and 10 will depend upon the future location of housing which will, in the first instance, be determined by the South East England Regional Assembly. The Highways Agency is contributing to deliberations on the draft Plan.
	Traffic from the sustainable communities proposed for the south-east is unlikely to result in a noticeable increase in noise from motorways. However the Government will in 2007 publish maps of noise from motorways. These maps will be updated at least every five years to take into account any changes in conditions and plans to reduce noise levels will be reviewed accordingly.

Maritime Coastguard Agency

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of whether the Incident Management System computer database operated by the Maritime Coastguard Agency is working effectively; what steps he is taking to ensure the system operates well; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The Incident Management System (IMS) works well. There were some initial teething problems with the Incident Management System, but these were all recorded and investigated. Any necessary improvements to the system have been implemented and the system is now working well. Any reported faults are dealt with promptly and do not impact on the Agency's ability to respond to search and rescue calls.

Maritime Coastguard Agency

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of staffing levels at the Maritime Coastguard Agency; what steps he is taking to improve skill levels in the organisation; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency performs to a high standard and has the resources it needs for the functions it carries out. The Chief Executive and his Management Team keep the skills of staff under review as part of the Agency's approach to learning and development. Specifically in relation to those working in coastguard rescue co-ordination centres, the Agency uses a concept of Training Ahead of Need" for Coastguard Watch Assistants aspiring to be Watch Officers, which has the support of the PCS Union. Peer reviews are also used to test, develop and support the core skills of search planning and co-ordination.

Pensioners' Free Travel

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what grounds the pensioners' free travel scheme excludes trams; and if he will reconsider this exclusion.

Karen Buck: The £350 million announced in the Budget for 2006–07 was to cover the extra costs of concessionary free travel on local bus services. Local authorities will remain able to offer concessions on light rail services after April 2006. This will continue to be at their discretion, based on their judgment of local needs and circumstances and their overall financial priorities.

Rail Infrastructure (London)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each London borough the (a) rail viaducts and (b) rail bridges in use which have exceeded their original planned end-of-life date.

Derek Twigg: This is an operational matter for Network Rail. Network Rail advises that the information is not available in the form requested.

Speed Cameras

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of road traffic accidents occurred on or near to the calibration lines of speed cameras in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The specific information requested is not available. The latest published information on the national safety camera programme—Three year evaluation report", carried out by University College London and PA Consulting Group, found that there had been a 40 per cent. reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured at camera sites, and a 33 per cent. reduction in the total number of personal injury collisions at camera sites. The report was published in June 2004 and copies are available in the Library and from the Department's website.

Roads

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are taken by the Highways Agency to evaluate the potential effects of road building schemes on (a) sites of special scientific interest, (b) areas of outstanding natural beauty and (c) national parks.

Stephen Ladyman: In designing and constructing new road schemes there is a strong presumption against schemes that would significantly affect environmentally sensitive sites, important species or important habitats. The Highways Agency evaluates the potential effects of road building proposals on the environment in liaison with the appropriate statutory bodies and other consultees.
	Where such construction is unavoidable then this is only carried out after a rigorous examination of the possible impacts and the incorporation of mitigation measures to address these.

Roads

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which roads in Surrey have had (a) crash barriers removed and (b) solid barriers replaced by wire barriers in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: For roads in Surrey for which the Secretary of State for Transport has responsibility, there are no locations where crash barriers have been removed without alternative containment being provided and there have been no cases in the last five years where wire rope safety barrier has been used to replace the existing barrier.
	On local roads the local highway authority is responsible for provision of barriers.
	On trunk roads whatever safety barriers are used, they are all required to meet the same minimum specified performance criteria in terms of containment.

Shipping

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much shipping tonnage is registered in the United Kingdom.

Stephen Ladyman: The tonnage of trading vessels of 100gt and over registered in the United Kingdom at the end of March 2005 was 10.4 million in gross tons and 10.9 million in deadweight tonnes.

Speed Limits

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to issue his revised guidance on the setting of speed limits in villages.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government's guidance to local highway authorities, who are responsible for setting local speed limits, is that the limit for villages should normally be 30mph, and Traffic Advisory Leaflet 1/04 provides guidance on how this can be achieved.
	This is being incorporated into the Department's revised wider guidance to Traffic Authorities on setting local speed limits, to be published later this year.

Traffic Signs

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many types of road traffic signs are approved by his Department.

Stephen Ladyman: Section 64 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 provides that traffic signs shall be of a size, colour and type prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State except where the Secretary of State authorises the erection or retention of a sign of another character.
	The current regulations specifying the appearance and use of signs are the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) 2002 (SI No. 3113). The basic sign types are warning signs, regulatory signs, directional and other informatory signs, road markings and signals. For ease of reference the TSRGD group signs for railway and tramway level crossings together in schedule 3, signs for bus, tram and pedal cycle facilities in schedule 5, and road works signs in schedule 12. Decisions about the placing of particular types of sign at particular locations are the responsibility of the relevant traffic authority.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Jamaica

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department has given to Jamaica following its recent earthquake; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: At 2258 hrs on Sunday 12 June, Jamaica experienced an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, followed by 12 smaller aftershocks. This was the strongest to affect the island since a 5.4 earthquake in 1993. The Government of Jamaica's Office for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) was quick to assess the situation and reported no loss of life or injuries. Damage to property was also minimal. The DFID office in Kingston, Jamaica, kept in close touch with ODPEM, but the organisation did not consider it necessary to issue an appeal for international assistance.

Madagascar

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes his Department has in Madagascar; how they will be affected by the closure of the British embassy; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Department for International Development does not have a development programme in Madagascar.

NGOs (China)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make it his policy not to fund non-governmental organisations who are involved in the one child policy in China.

Gareth Thomas: DFID do not fund non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that support China's one child policy. UK assistance for sexual and reproductive health programmes anywhere in the world is provided in support of the principles of free and informed choice set out at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994 and reaffirmed in various international fora since. These principles reject coercion in matters relating to child bearing and reproduction.

Yemen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department is providing to the Yemeni Government to promote health services in Yemen.

Hilary Benn: DFID has recently approved a project of £3.09 million over four years to assist the Government of Yemen to improve maternal and infant health services. The project will operate at two levels: field (district and governorate) level, working with UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPAO, local government and civil society to improve service delivery in maternal and neonatal health; and at central Government level where the focus will be on developing policy and planning capacity within the Ministry of Public Health and Population. The project will also work closely with other donors including World Bank, the Netherlands and the World Health Organisation.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Cleaners' Pay

David Winnick: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what representations the Commission has received from the trade union side of the Whitley Committee regarding contract Commons cleaners' pay; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The Commission has received no representations from the trade union side of the Whitley Committee about contract cleaners' pay. The trade union side raised the issue briefly with officials at the Whitley meeting on 28 February but, as the matter was outside the remit of the Committee, there was no substantive discussion.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Work-related Stress

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Leader of the House how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Office in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Nigel Griffiths: No cases of work-related stress have been reported by staff working in the Office of the Leader of the House of Commons over the past three years. No compensation has been paid and no work days have been lost over the same period.
	Staffing for the Office of the Leader is provided by the Privy Council Office (PCO). PCO has an external employee counselling service at an annual cost of £3,000, and regularly consults its staff to seek their views and ideas on how working practices might continue to be improved. Such consultation includes a staff survey each year (costing £8,000) which specifically asks whether they have difficulties with work/life balance or long hours. PCO gives its staff the option, where compatible with business needs, to work flexibly or at home or part-time—or in a combination of these ways. Career breaks are also available.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Baghdad Museum

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on missing and damaged Iraqi artefacts; when she expects the Baghdad Museum to be fully open; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: The scale of the looting of artefacts was thankfully not as devastating as originally thought. Recent estimates suggest that around 3,000 items were taken, although the lack of inventories makes precise calculations impossible. Of the items taken, 30 or so are considered to be highly significant, and the British Museum has suggested that around half of these artefacts have now been recovered.
	Due to the continued security concerns, there are currently no immediate plans to reopen the museum. The decision on when to open the museum is one for the Iraqi authorities.

Broadcast Advertising (Food and Drink)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress Ofcom's consultation on proposals to tighten the rules on broadcast advertising, sponsorship and promotion of food and drink to children, as set out in the Choosing Health White Paper has made to date; and what the timetable is for publication of this consultation.

James Purnell: I understand that Ofcom is currently finalising the details of its consultation on proposals to tighten the rules on broadcast advertising, sponsorship and promotion of food and drink to children, as set out in the Government's public health White Paper, Choosing Health. Ofcom has indicated that the consultation will take place this autumn with the results published subsequently.

Casinos

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects the Gambling Commission (a) to issue new casino licences and (b) to publish the Codes of Conduct which will be a condition of the new licences.

Richard Caborn: The detailed timetable for implementation of the Gambling Act 2005 is still being finalised. The current expectation is that the Gambling Commission will publish licence conditions and codes of practice by around June 2006, and that it will start to accept advance applications for casino operating and personal licences by January 2007. These will come into effect from autumn 2007.

Casinos

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when applications for a casino licence under the Gaming Act 1968 will cease to be considered.

Richard Caborn: The timetable for the implementation of the Gambling Act 2005 is still being finalised. No cut off date has yet been set for applications for gaming licences under the 1968 Act. A further announcement will be made in due course.

Casinos

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance will be issued to local authorities to ensure a consistent approach to the issuing of casino licences once the Gambling Act 2005 becomes fully operational.

Richard Caborn: Under Section 25 of the Gambling Act 2005, the Gambling Commission is required to issue guidance to local authorities on the exercise of their functions under the Act and the principles they should apply when exercising those functions. The issuing of casino premises licences will form part of this guidance and will be made available to local authorities before the new licensing regime begins. All local authorities must have regard to this guidance when carrying out functions under the Act.

Casinos

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the advisory panel recommendations on location of casinos will relate to (a) local authority areas and (b) specific sites within a local authority.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will ask the casino advisory panel to assist her in the exercise of her order making powers under Section 175(4) of the Gambling Act 2005 to determine the geographical distribution of casino premises licences. For this purpose, she is required to specify in the order which local authorities should be permitted to issue casino premises licences of a specified kind, and how many of each type of casino premises licence each specified local authority should be permitted to issue. The casino advisory panel's role will be to provide the Secretary of State with advice on these issues, and it will not be required to recommend specific sites.

Casinos

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  whether regenerative benefits will be the only consideration in the granting of a regional casino licence;
	(2)  what criteria the advisory panel will use to make recommendations on the location of new (a) small, (b) large and (c) regional casinos.

Richard Caborn: The casino advisory panel will consider submissions from local authorities wishing to issue premises licences for regional, large or small casinos. The criteria against which the panel will assess these submissions were set out in the Government's national policy statement on casinos published on 16 December 2004. The primary consideration will be to ensure that locations provide the best possible test of social impact. Subject to this, the criteria will also be:
	to include areas in need of regeneration (as measured by employment and other social deprivation data) and which are likely to benefit in these terms from a new casino;
	to ensure that those areas selected are willing to license a new casino.

Casinos

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether there will be a right of appeal against (a) the advisory panel's recommendation and (b) the Secretary of State's decision on the locationof new (a) small, (b) large and (c) regional casinos.

Richard Caborn: The Gambling Act 2005 does not provide for a right of appeal in either of the circumstances specified.
	The Secretary of State's order making powers under Section 175(4) of the Gambling Act 2005 are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure. Both Houses of Parliament will have to approve her order before it takes effect.
	The panel is a purely advisory body to provide advice to the Secretary of State on the exercise of her powers, and as such it would be inappropriate for there to be a right of appeal.

Commonwealth Institute

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to announce her decision concerning the statutory listing of the Commonwealth Institute Building in Kensington.

David Lammy: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will announce her decision once she has considered advice from English Heritage, statutory advisers on the historic environment, and intends to do so shortly.

Digital Television

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she will take to encourage private sector landlords to upgrade their digital reception systems in the run up to digital switchover; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: We are working with a number of housing bodies including representatives of private landlords to develop communications for landlords. We will shortly publish, in association with the Chartered Institute of Housing, guidance for the housing sector on how to prepare for digital switchover.
	We intend to follow this up with targeted communications aimed at the housing sector which will be developed in association with the new switchover organisation, Switchco Ltd.

Licensing Act

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pages the form to be completed by pubs to gain renewal of licences under the Licensing Act 2003 comprises.

James Purnell: The form to be completed by pubs and other establishments wishing to convert their present licences is 21 pages long. However, this allows for variations in the terms of licences. Those establishments wishing only to convert their licences need to complete only 7 pages of the form.
	Completed application forms must be returned to licensing authorities before 6 August.

Licensing Act

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the cost to a typical pub of complying with the Licensing Act 2003.

James Purnell: The Licensing Act 2003 makes no distinction between pubs and other establishments which are licensed to sell alcohol on the premises. The Government's estimates of the costs and benefits of the Act cover the whole spectrum of businesses and other establishments which will be affected by the new licensing regime—an estimated total of some 200,000 premises.
	The Regulatory Impact Assessment published by my Department in March 2003 estimated the net benefits to business of the new licensing regime at some £2 billion over the next decade.

Licensing Act

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what steps her Department is taking to ensure that those individuals and businesses that have been brought into the licensing regime are aware of the 24 November deadline for applications for all licences;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to ensure that those individuals and businesses that have been brought into the licensing regime are aware of their new responsibilities and duties;
	(3)  what steps her Department is taking to ensure that those individuals and businesses who need to convert their licences in order to retain existing rights are aware of the 6 August deadline.

James Purnell: My Department is making every effort to make all affected individuals and businesses aware of their responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003, including the 6 August and 24 November deadlines. These efforts have included:
	a regular newsletter for local authorities and others since August 2004, which is used as the basis for National Pubwatch articles;
	an improved licensing section on the DCMS website;
	a letter through the Courts to all alcohol licence holders at renewal in 2004;
	a trade and ethnic press campaign including 28 advertisements aimed at independent operators; and
	information initiatives through suppliers, distributors, wholesalers, and cash and carries, who are including reminders of the relevant deadlines on invoices and other literature.
	The progress of this information campaign is being monitored closely through the High Level Group, which includes my Department, the Local Government Association, the Local Authorities' Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Home Office, and representatives of the hospitality industry.

Licensing Act

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 and related regulations requiring a single individual to take legal responsibility for all licensed events at a particular village hall during a 12-month period; and what representations she has received concerning this issue.

James Purnell: Concern has been expressed to DCMS by village halls as to the duties of an individual who is specified on a premises licence as the designated premises supervisor (DPS). The role of a DPS only applies when a premises licence authorises the supply of alcohol. It is not relevant in respect of other licensable activities such as regulated entertainment. While the DPS has certain responsibilities under the 2003 Act, it is important that this is kept in perspective. The main purpose of having a DPS is to provide a primary point of contact for authorities investigating problems, and to ensure that any necessary preventative measures are taken to promote the licensing objectives.
	For example, we have clarified that the DPS does not have to be physically present at the premises for sales of alcohol to take place there. In addition, regular users can take out their own premises licence with their own named DPS or other hirers could be asked to use temporary event notices and there would therefore be no need to have a DPS for those events.
	These arrangements are important in the interests of those living near village halls. It is vital that there is a proper balance between the needs of local residents and of those conducting licensable activities at such halls. We believe that the Act strikes the correct balance, but we continue to discuss with representatives of village halls the ways in which the burdens involved can be best managed.

Licensing Act

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of licence applications under the Licensing Act 2003 which have been received to date by local councils.

James Purnell: My Department estimates that 20 per cent. of all licensed premises have so far submitted applications to their licensing authorities. This percentage is expected to increase rapidly as the 6 August deadline for converting existing licences approaches.

Licensing Act

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will grant automatic extensions of existing public house licences which do not seek a variation on the terms of the licence.

James Purnell: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will not be granting automatic extensions to licence holders who do not seek variations in the terms of their licences. All applications for the conversion of existing licences, whether variation is sought or not, must be made to licensing authorities by 6 August.
	The Government are aware of the possible pressures on licensing authorities that may arise during the transition period, and the Licensing Act 2003 includes appropriate safeguards. Where a licensing authority is unable to complete its consideration of an application for conversion (without variation) within two months, that application is deemed to have been granted.

Olympic Bid 2012

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what safeguards are in place to ensure that local community sporting initiatives arenot adversely affected by the London 2012 Olympic bid.

Tessa Jowell: Government and lottery investment in local community sporting initiatives is not dependent on the outcome of the London 2012 bid. On the contrary, we expect the bid, if successful, to provide a major boost to sports participation in this country, a strong legacy of facilities which will benefit the whole of the UK and to inspire the next generation of young people to greater sporting activity and help foster a healthy and active nation.

Special Advisers

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list (a) the special advisers in her Department, (b) their specific areas of expertise and (c) the total cost of employing them in the latest year for which figures are available.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Watts) on 22 July 2004, Official Report, columns466–70W. Information on special advisers for 2004–05 is currently being collated and will be published in the normal way before the summer recess.

PRIME MINISTER

EU Budget

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Prime Minister what representations he received from the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on the recent negotiations on the EU's budget.

Tony Blair: I have received representations from the First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales on this matter.

Floods (North Yorkshire)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the oral answer of 22 June 2005, Official Report, column 795, when the hon. Member for Vale of York will be able to meet the relevant Minister; and if he will make emergency funds available to pay for the clear-up of the countryside and repair to damaged roads and bridges.

Tony Blair: I understand the hon. Member will be meeting my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Environment (Mr. Morley) shortly to discuss the points she raises.

Ken Bigley

Alan Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister what the results were of the FBI test on the hairbrush belonging to Ken Bigley; and what information he has received on the whereabouts of Mr. Bigley's body.

Tony Blair: Samples of Mr. Bigley's DNA have been supplied to the US authorities. US military and FBI investigators have tested Mr. Bigley's DNA profile against material obtained from Iraq. So far, they have not discovered a match but the FBI continue to compare Mr. Bigley's profile with further material obtained from Iraq.
	Regrettably we have nothing to report as yet on the whereabouts of Mr. Bigley's body. We continue to work closely with the Iraqi and US authorities, and remain in touch with Mr. Bigley's family.

Ministerial Duties

David Davies: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2005, Official Report, column 271W, on ministerial duties, whether he spent more or less than 48 hours performing his official duties in the week commencing 9 May.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 6 June 2005, Official Report, column 271W.

Mistakes

Andrew George: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his speech to the Labour party spring conference, what mistakes he has (a) made and (b) admitted to since May 1997.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to my spring conference speech.

Official Engagements

John Maples: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for 6 June.

Tony Blair: I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. Later in the day I left for Washington for talks with President Bush.

Official Engagements

John Maples: To ask the Prime Minister which members of the staff of the British embassy in Washington accompanied him during his official engagements on 6 June.

Tony Blair: I had no official engagements in Washington on 6 June. I arrived in Washington early on the morning of 7 June.

Race Relations

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister how many and what percentage of staff in his Office have received training on the general and specific duties of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, broken down by (a) ethnicity and (b) grade.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Hutton) today.

Royal Prerogative

Paul Burstow: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 384W, to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen), on the Royal Prerogative, what the most commonly exercised powers under the Royal Prerogative are.

Michael Meacher: To ask the Prime Minister if he will listthe occasions on which each prerogative power has been exercised by the holder of his office in the last 30years.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Members to the memorandum from the Treasury Solicitor's Department (MPP09(a) ) in the report by the Public Administration Select Committee Taming the Prerogative: Strengthening Ministerial Accountability to Parliament" (HC 422). Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.

Sir Richard Dearlove

Adam Price: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr on 29 June 2005, Official Report, column 1288, on what basis he concluded that the statement by Sir Richard Dearlove to which the question referred was contained in a memorandum covered by the Butler Review.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 29 June 2005, Official Report, column 1288.

Special Advisers

Bob Spink: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list (a) the special advisers in his Office, (b) their specific areas of expertise and (c) the total cost of employing them in the latest year for which figures are available.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for St.Helens, North (Mr. Watts) on 22 July 2004, Official Report, columns 466–70W. Information on special advisers for 2004–05 is currently being collated, and this will be published in the normal way once it has been completed.

Trident

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South on 29 June 2005, Official Report, column 1292, if he will undertake to have a vote in Parliament on any proposal to replace the Trident nuclear deterrent.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) on 29 June 2005, Official Report, column 1292.

Work-related Stress

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Prime Minister how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Office in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Hutton) today.

DEFENCE

Iraq

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in Iraq.

John Reid: We condemn each and every terrorist attack. The vast majority of the victims are ordinary Iraqi people. They deserve our support in fighting this insurgency. We can expect attacks to continue as Iraq maintains progress towards a constitution, referendum and further elections. Attacks are mainly confined to four out of 18 provinces in Iraq. The Iraqi Security Forces are conducting, both independently and with coalition support, an increasing number of counter-insurgency operations.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his reply of 27 June 2005, Official Report, columns 1204–05W, on Iraq, whether comments by the British Deputy Senior Judge Advocate on the 27 August 2003 detainee interrogation policy concerned use of (a) dogs, (b) stress positions, (c) sleep management, (d) sensory deprivation, (e) yelling, (f) loud music and (g) light control.

Adam Ingram: The content of the advice of the British Deputy Staff Judge Advocate given in August 2003 is covered by legal professional privilege and remains the property of the United States Government. For these reasons I am not able to comment on it.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2005, Official Report, columns 1204–05W, on Iraq, whether the British Deputy Senior Judge Advocate in Iraq had a role in the formulation of a response to the Red Cross report on Abu Ghraib which he summarised for senior coalition personnel.

Adam Ingram: The British Officer embedded within the office of the Staff Judge Advocate did not have a role in formulating the response to the ICRC report received in November 2003. An Australian Officer embedded within that office led in preparing the initial draft response and was working direct to the Staff Judge Advocate on that issue.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the amount and type of ordnance dropped on Iraq by RAF aircraft was in (a) November 2002, (b) December 2002, (c) January 2003 and (d) February 2003.

John Reid: holding answer 28 June 2005
	RAF aircraft used Paveway laser-guided precision bombs in Iraq over this period, while policing the no-fly zones. 16Paveways were dropped by UK aircraft in November 2002; 24 in December 2002; four in January 2003; and five in February 2003.

Iraq

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reservists are serving in Iraq; and what proportion had been previously mobilised for service (a) overseas and (b) in Iraq since May 2002.

Don Touhig: Just over 560 reservists are currently called out for permanent service and serving in Iraq. Of the 530 reservists from the Territorial Army and Army's Regular Reserve currently serving in Iraq, approximately 11 per cent. have previously been called out for permanent service in Iraq and 3 per cent. for other overseas operational service since May 2002. Information regarding previous permanent service undertaken by members of the other reserve forces is not held centrally and could be provided only by a manual check of individual records.

Africa (Peace-building)

Michael Jabez Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role his Department has played in strengthening African peace-building capabilities.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence's contribution to the strengthening of African peace-building capability mainly focuses on peace support training of African armed forces and mentoring and advisory functions through its permanently deployed training teams and liaison officers. For example, at present, 10Defence Attache"s and around 120 British armed forces personnel are based in Sub-Saharan Africa to assist in these tasks. Additionally, there are around 25 personnel seconded to UN missions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Africa (Peace-building)

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role his Department plays in strengthening African peace-building capabilities.

Adam Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer Igave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Michael Jabez Foster).

Second World War

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to commemorate the role of women in the Second World War.

Don Touhig: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Ms Thornberry) earlier today.

Second World War

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on activities organised by his Department to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the second world war.

Don Touhig: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence earlier today to my hon. Friend, the Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Meg Hillier).

Procurement

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what forecast he has made of total cost over-runs occurring in current defence procurement projects worth over £1 billion.

Adam Ingram: Details of major equipment projects over £l billion and their performance against financial targets are set out in the Major Projects Report 2004 (MPR04). This year's report, MPR05, is due to be placed in the Library of the House prior to the summer recess.
	There are additionally eight infrastructure and support projects outside the DPA worth over £1 billion, none of which is forecasting cost overruns.

Surface Fleet

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to enhance the Royal Navy's surface fleet.

Adam Ingram: We are adapting and modernising the Royal Navy into a versatile maritime force that is structured to meet the challenges of the future. The capability of the surface fleet will be enhanced through the procurement of two new, large aircraft carriers, new Type 45 destroyers and new amphibious support shipping.

Veterans' Organisations

Si�n Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with veterans' organisations.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence maintains a close dialogue with veterans' organisations at both ministerial and official level. Since becoming Minister for Veterans, I have chaired a meeting of the Veterans Forum, which brings together representatives from the Ministry of Defence, other Government Departments and the Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations (COBSEO) as part of the highly successful Veterans' Programme. I have also had introductory meetings with a number of individual veterans' organisations, and more are planned. Our discussions have been wide-ranging and constructive, and I look forward to working together to make the Veterans' Programme even more effective.

EU Defence Contribution

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking in the EU to press for a greater defence contribution from EU states.

John Reid: During the United Kingdom's EU presidency we will promote a European Security and Defence Policy which is more capable, more coherent and more active. As presidency we are pressing ahead with the Headline Goal 2010 capability development process, aiming to deliver the final military Requirements Catalogue 2005.
	The UK also continues to play a leading role in the EU rapid-response Battlegroups initiative, to which 22 member states have so far declared commitments.

Armed Forces Personnel

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel applied to take up appointments with defence industry companies in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004, broken down by rank; and how many of the applications were accepted in each case.

Don Touhig: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer Igave on 28 June 2005, Official Report, column 1394, tothe right hon. and learned Member for Devizes (Mr.Ancram).

Computer Crime

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of computer (a) hacking, (b) fraud and (c) theft his Department recorded in each year since 200102; and for each year, on how many occasions computer systems have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (i) within and (ii) outside his Department.

Don Touhig: The number of incidents affecting MOD computer systems for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 are summarised in the following table:
	
		
			 Incident type 2003 (1 January-31 December 2003) 2004 (1 January-31 December 2004) 2005 (1 January- 23 June 2005) 
		
		
			 Computer hacking incidents, comprising: 12 36 30 
			 Computer network exploitation 0 2 1 
			 External probe or scan 1 6 6 
			 External unauthorised access (intrusion) 1 1 0 
			 External unauthorised 1 1 0 
			 Modification (including defacement)
			 Internalmisuse of resources 4 10 15 
			 Internalprobe or scan 0 2 0 
			 Internal Unauthorised Access (intrusion) 1 2 1 
			 Internal unauthorised modification (including defacement) 0 6 1 
			 Internalprivilege abuse 1 1 2 
			 Other (including suspicious activity) 3 5 4 
			 
			 Computer fraud 0 0 0 
			 Computer theft 59 158 23 
		
	
	Some of the hacking incidents outlined above represent precursor activity (such as probes or scans) to a hacking attack. In many cases, the protective measures deployed to safeguard MOD information systems are likely to have dissuaded hackers from developing their reconnaissance into a proper hacking attack. None of the reported incidents of hacking had any operational impact.
	There were no recorded incidents of computer fraud over the period 200305.

EU Military Bodies

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list staff on secondment to EU military bodies, broken down by grade.

Don Touhig: There are currently 13 UK military personnel seconded to the EU military staff: one brigadier, one colonel, nine lieutenant colonels or equivalent, one warrant officer, and one flight sergeant.
	There is one UK commander seconded as a militaryassistant to the Chairman of the EU Military Committee.
	There are currently no UK civilian staff seconded to EU military bodies.

Gibraltar

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many custody suites each of the services operates in Gibraltar; and how often each was used in each of the last three years.

Adam Ingram: The Command has one custody suite and six persons have been held in custody, for short periods of time, in the last three years. In 2002 no persons were held. In 2003 six persons were held. In 2004 no persons were held. To date, in 2005, no persons have been held.

Gibraltar

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) doctors and (b) nurses work in Gibraltar Naval Hospital.

Adam Ingram: There are five permanent medical consultant posts at Royal Naval Hospital, Gibraltar. Locums and visiting military consultants currently man these posts while permanent consultants are being recruited. The commanding officer is also a GP. Several specialist consultants visit on a regular basis.
	The Royal Navy Hospital, Gibraltar employs 25 nurses across various specialisms.

Kandahar (Service Personnel)

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) aircraft, (b) airmen, (c) soldiers and (d) sailors the UK has in the Kandahar area; and under whose operational command they are.

Adam Ingram: As at 27 June 2005, there are six Harrier GR7 aircraft, 146 airmen, 30 soldiers and 10 sailors in the Kandahar area. All come under the operational command of the UK's Chief of Joint Operations.

Military Costs (Afghanistan/Middle East)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the costs of military involvement in (a) Afghanistan and (b) the Middle East since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence identifies the costs of operations in terms of the net additional costs it has incurred. Additional costs for larger operations are identified separately and are published each year in the MOD's annual report and accounts, which are available in the Library of the House.
	On this basis, the additional costs of military operations in Afghanistan and the middle east from 2001 are:
	
		 million
		
			  Afghanistan Gulf Iraq (OpTelic) 
		
		
			 200102 221 61  
			 200203 311 45 847 
			 200304 46  1,311 
		
	
	The additional costs of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq in 200405 will be published this autumn in the MOD's 200405 departmental report and accounts.

Military Readiness

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the finding of the National Audit Office report Assessing and Reporting Military Readiness, paragraph 2.44, concerning engineering risk and cannibalisation; and how much equipment and of what type in (a) Challenger 2 regiments, (b) AS90 regiments, (c) Warrior battalions and (d) CVR(T) regiments has been damaged during cannibalisation;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the finding of the National Audit Office report Assessing and Reporting Military Readiness, paragraph 2.45, concerning the effects of cannibalisation of equipment on the remaining pool of equipment; how many units have been left properly equipped following this process of cannibalisation; and how many (a) tank, (b) CVR(T), (c) AS90 and (d) Warrior units are fully equipped for operations.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 27 June 2005
	The process of cannibalisation is undertaken in a deliberate and effective manner by fully qualified and professional army engineers. As a result no equipment in Challenger 2 regiments, AS90 regiments, Warrior battalions or CVR(T) regiments has been damaged during cannibalisation.
	All units deployed or earmarked for current operations have deployed or will deploy equipped with their full complement of heavy armoured vehicles. Cannibalisation has had no impact on this requirement.

Recruitment

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications there were from civilians to join UK regular forces in (a) commissioned and (b) non-commissioned posts in each quarter since 2002.

Don Touhig: The number of civilian applications for employment in the UK regular forces since financial year 200203 were:
	
		
			 Naval Service T1 T2 T3  Total 
		
		
			 Officers (intake is calculated by three terms, not quarters) 
			 200203 510 585 405  1,500 
			 200304 380 480 305  1,165 
			 200405 440 405 280  1,125 
			   
			 Other ranks Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4  
			 200203 3,038 3,185 2,168 3,852 12,243 
			 200304 3,399 2,895 2,084 2,593 10,971 
			 200405 2,637 2,656 2,076 2,497 9,866 
			   
			 Army Officers  
			 200203 1,468 1,368 1,863 1,459 6,158 
			 200304 1,224 1,095 1,266 1,290 4,875 
			 200405 1,004 877 1,244 1,081 4,206 
			 Other ranks  
			 200203 7,883 10,794 7,647 10,483 36,807 
			 200304 9,959 8,250 6,215 9,998 34,422 
			 200405 7,671 6,984 4,995 8,598 28,248 
			   
			 RAF Officers  
			 200203 1,096 941 1,576 833 4,466 
			 200304 755 672 1,397 895 3,719 
			 200405 757 570 1,377 489 3,193 
			 Other ranks  
			 200203 3,745 3,988 2,946 1,872 12,551 
			 200304 1,801 2,421 1,781 3,068 9,071 
			 200405 2,489 2,228 1,799 1,750 8,266

Recuperation Levels

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects recuperation levels within the RAF to return to pre-Operation Telic levels of readiness.

Adam Ingram: The Royal Air Force continues to meet its standing and contingent overseas operational and enduring home commitments, contributing forces to a number of theatres around the world: the Gulf, Northern Ireland, South Atlantic, Afghanistan and the Balkans. Planning assumptions and requirements are kept under constant review to ensure that the RAF continues to be ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. The pre-Operation Telic levels of readiness were a reflection of the Defence position prior to 2003 and are not necessarily an indication of our future requirements.

Royal Air Force

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on manning levels in the Royal Air Force.

Don Touhig: On 1 May 2005, the trained strength of the regular Royal Air Force was 48,760. As part of the restructuring of the armed forces announced in this House on 21 July last year, RAF trained manpower is being reduced to around 41,000 by April 2008.

Surveys

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the most recent continuous attitude surveys for each of the services will be completed; and if he will place copies in the Library.

Don Touhig: The most recent Royal Navy continuous attitude survey (CAS) was completed in March 2005; while the Army's latest CAS was completed in June 2005. The RAF report on their aggregated 2004 CAS results is now being prepared and will be available for publication towards the end of the year. When the RAF report is complete, the results of all three services' CAS will be placed in the Library of the House and MOD FOI website.

Territorial Army

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the manning levels of the Territorial Army are.

Don Touhig: The whole strength of the TA as at 1 May 2005 stood at 37,100.

Territorial Army

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Territorial Army in Chorley.

Don Touhig: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 28 June 2005, Official Report, column 1400W.

Troop Deployment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of troop deployments to Iraq in each of the next three years; and from which budgets they will be funded.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence is constantly reviewing and assessing its commitment in Iraq, based on the security and political situation, and changing force posture and equipment requirements as Iraqi Security Forces take on increasing responsibility for security. Consequently any speculation on potential future costs would be misleading. As with all net additional costs of operations, we would expect these costs to be funded by HM Treasury from the Contingency Reserve.

Typhoon

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Typhoon aircraft are in use with the Royal Air Force.

Adam Ingram: As of 30 June 2005 the RAF has taken delivery of 15 Typhoons.

CABINET OFFICE

Government Cars

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Government Car Agency plans to replace cars in the ministerial fleet with cars which use alternative fuel technology.

Jim Murphy: The responsibility for the provision of ministerial cars and drivers has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive Mr. Roy Burke to write to the hon. Member. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Myerscough Quarry

Ben Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to his written answer of 27 June 2005, Official Report, column 1226W, which local stakeholders are being consulted in the early stages of the investigation into the possibility of the former Myerscough Quarry becoming a strategic rural gateway for Lancashire.

John Hutton: The Duchy Office has prepared the following list of stakeholders/consultees which either have been consulted or are to be consulted over the next few months in respect of the proposals for the Myerscough Quarry site.
	Lancashire County Council
	Wyre Borough Council
	Myerscough and Bilsborrow Parish Council
	Lancaster City Council
	North West Development Agency
	Lancashire West Partnership
	Pan-Lancashire Partnership
	Ben Wallace MP Lancaster and Wyre
	Michael Jack MP Fylde
	British Waterways
	Garstang Area Partnership
	Garstang and Eccleston Show Committees
	Myerscough College
	Lancaster University
	Lancaster Farmers Auction Mart
	Brock Auction Mart
	Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society

Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many and what percentage of staff in his Department have received training on the general and specific duties of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, broken down by (a) ethnicity and (b) grade.

John Hutton: A programme of training on the general and specific duties of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 was provided to Cabinet Office senior managers when the first Race Equality Scheme was produced in 2002. Further training and advice has followed as senior management teams have changed.
	Detailed records of those who attended the training in 2002 have not been kept. However, as at 1 April 2002 when the training was being delivered, the grades (pay bands) and ethnicity of all staff in the Department at the targeted grades are shown in the table.
	
		Number and ethnic origin of staff in the SCS and at band A as at 1 April 2002
		
			  Asian Black Mixed ethnic origin Other ethnic origin White 
		
		
			 Senior civil servant * * * * 131 
			 Band A * * * * 367 
			 Total 13 6 * * 498 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.As per civil service statistical convention, figures between 0 and5 and those from which figures between 0 and 5 could be calculated are asterisked (*) to avoid identification of individuals.
	2.Response rate to the ethnic origin questionnaire at Senior Civil Servant level was 83 per cent. and at band A level 90 per cent.
	In addition to specific training on the Act, diversity and equality issues are covered in the Department's management development programmes.
	The Department is currently undertaking a detailed review of its Race Equality Scheme which includes how it trains staff in the duties of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act. The revised scheme will be published in September 2005.

Work-related Stress

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Work-related stress is recorded if it results in absence from work. The Cabinet Office figures are available from 1 April 2003 and set out in the table. There may be cases of work-related stress that do not result in an absence but that information is not recorded.
	No compensation has been claimed or paid to employees in the last three years.
	
		
			  Number of individuals Working days lost Cost of working days lost 
		
		
			 1 April-31 December 2003 (4)Less than 5 (4)n/a (4)n/a 
			 1 January-31 December 2004 8 107 11,183 
			 1 January 2005 to date (4)Less than 5 (4)n/a (4)n/a 
		
	
	(4)To protect the privacy of individuals details have not been provided. This is in accordance with statistical conventions, which recommend that records of 5 or less should not be published.
	The Cabinet Office has a number of procedures in place to reduce stress at work. A stress management framework based on the Health and Safety Executive's Management Standards was launched in February 2005 and is available on the Department's intranet site. Stress management workshops were organised to explain the framework to managers and employees, and the framework is covered in the Department's on-going health and safety training.
	The well-being of employees is important to the Department and it supports them in managing their work-life balance. In addition to leave entitlements the Department offers child care support and, where possible, it encourages flexible working arrangements. An on-site gym is available to employees in London, and health awareness initiatives are run from time to time.
	The Department is also committed to creating a supportive working environment that is free from any form of harassment and bullying. All complaints are taken seriously and individuals have access to a confidential network of Harassment Contact Officers which is in addition to Department's counselling service.
	Information on the individual costs of these initiatives could be obtained but only at disproportionate cost.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Acts of Parliament (Internet Access)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to make all Acts of Parliament published before 1988 for which his Department is responsible available online.

Alan Johnson: The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) within the Cabinet Office is the Queen's printer of Acts of Parliamentary, and responsible for the publication of Acts of Parliament. HMSO has considered the publication of Acts prior to 1998, which is the earliest date when these were available electronically, but has decided not to do so as many have been heavily amended and to publish them in their original form would be misleading for many users. The Government are, however, taking forward development of a statute law database which will contain the fully revised and updated text of all legislation from 1275. It is expected that this will be made available to the general public during 2006.

Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor Nuclear Power Stations

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what weaknesses were uncovered in which power stations during recent inspections by Government nuclear inspectors of the graphite cores of advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations;
	(2)  what dates were originally predicted by computer models as to when inevitable weakening in the graphite cores of advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations would occur; what revision of these dates was undertaken in subsequent studies; and what bearing this has on the scheduling of decommissioning advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations;
	(3)  what factors lead to the onset of weakening in the graphite cores of advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations at a rate faster than that predicted by computer modelling; and what measures his Department has put in place to guard against further such weakening;
	(4)  what implications the risk of advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations developing cracks in their graphite cores will have on (a) their current operational life, (b) the operational life of plants using similar systems and (c) Government policy relating to the possible construction of new nuclear power stations; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Technical issues relating to the graphite cores of advanced gas-cooled reactor power stations are complex technical matters for British Energy and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate. Therefore, I have asked the Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations to write to the hon. Member. The Government's position on new nuclear power stations remains the same as stated in the 2003 White Paperwe are keeping the option of new build open. Before any decision were taken to proceed with the building of new nuclear power stations there would need to be the fullest public consultation and the publication of a further White Paper setting out our proposals.
	The 'West Midlands Regional Energy Strategy' published in November 2004 by GOWM, The West Midlands Regional Assembly and Advantage West Midlands, also recognises the need for the increased use of renewable energy resources as one of its four key objectives and sets out four priorities under this banner along with identifying those organisations with a lead responsibility and milestones.
	The Regional Planning Guidance for the West Midlands published in June 2004 by the GOWM includes a chapter on Energy Policies which includes renewable energy, base lining its use in the region at 0.1 per cent. in 2000, identifying the potential to increase this to at least 15 per cent. and encouraging local authorities to encourage renewable energy proposals in their development plans. This includes location guidance and the environmental impact of its generation.

Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor Nuclear Power Stations

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the total cost of closing down each advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power station in order to carry out maintenance work on the graphite core.

Malcolm Wicks: This is a matter for British Energy.

Advantage West Midlands

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been provided by Advantage West Midlands for each regeneration zone in the west midlands in each year since they were established.

Alun Michael: There have been a number of changes to the way the Government requires AWM to report on it's spend. There was no geographic analysis of figures spent by Advantage West Midlands prior to 200203, when the Government changed the way they expect Regional Development Agency's to report on their spending.
	The following figures cover 200203, 200304 and also 200405, although the figures for 200405 have not yet been audited.
	
		
			  200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Coventry and Nuneaton 19,019 13,675 12,359 
			 East Birmingham and North Solihull 17,600 40,580 66,980 
			 North Black Country and South Staffs 23,596 36,684 39,582 
			 South Black Country and West  Birmingham 27,430 25,223 25,517 
			 North Staffordshire 16,031 20,825 19,880 
			 Rural 15,437 15,731 25,045 
			 Expenditure Outside Regeneration  Zones 88,664 111,720 53,774 
			 Region Wide 15,055 26,292 57,006 
			 Total 222,832 290,730 300,143

Agents

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer given on 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 68W, on agents, on how many occasions in the previous year UK trade and investment provided information to companies about potential agents; if he will list (a) the companies to which information was given and (b) the countries about which the information was given.

Ian Pearson: UKTI does not hold this data centrally. To co-ordinate it would represent disproportionate cost.

Air Travellers (Financial Protection)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of consumers' understanding of financial protection schemes for air travellers; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with consumer groups on financial protection schemes for air travellers; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the UK's ability to meet its obligations under the Package Travel Directive if major tour operators move their business outside the Air Travel Organisers' Licence scheme.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Air Travel Organisers' Licence (ATOL) regulations use the same definition of package as the Package Travel Directive and the UK regulations which implement the Directive to define their coverage in respect of package travel organisers. Any tour operator which provides flight-based packages has no choice but to hold an ATOL or to be acting for a disclosed principal which holds an ATOL. If a tour operator were to legally operate outside of the ATOL scheme they would need to alter their products in such a way that they no longer constituted a package. Since the definition in the ATOL Regulations and the Directive is the same, it follows that if a product falls outside of one it will fall outside of the other and the UK would have no obligations under the Directive in respect of that business.
	I am very aware of the views of consumer representatives' on this high profile issue for the leisure travel sector. I understand they have made those views known to both the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport as they consider the arguments for change to the current regime.
	The Civil Aviation Authority has undertaken extensive work in order to assess consumers' understanding of financial protection in this market. This assessment was reported in the CAA's advice to the Government (Financial Protection for Air Travellers and Package Holiday Makers in the Future, CAA Advice to Government, July 2004) and in their consultation document of July 2003. These reported the results of their consultation with consumer organisations and also the results of research carried out for the CAA into customer expectations and their perceptions of protection in the holiday market (Financial Protection for Air Holiday, Final Report: NFO Transport and Tourism). These documents and reports are available at www.atol.org.uk.

Carbon Abatement Technologies

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the economic effects on UK industry of the use of carbon abatement technologies.

Malcolm Wicks: Work undertaken by the National Economic Research Association (NERA) last year estimated that currently some 38,000 jobs and a turnover of 3 billion per year is attributable to activities in cleaner fossil fuel technologies. The report was not able to quantify the growth in the sector as the result of the increased used of carbon abatement technologies but suggested that both jobs and turnover should rise significantly.

Carbon Abatement Technologies

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support the Government plan to offer to encourage companies (a) to undertake further research into clean coal technologies, (b) to invest in clean coal technologies for existing coal-fired power plants and (c) to develop new facilities that fully utilise clean coal technologies.

Malcolm Wicks: We have allocated some 20 million from spending round 200506 to 200708 to support carbon abatement technologies which would include cleaner coal technologies. Although there is currently no support for investing in either new or existing plant, we have announced 25 million for demonstrating carbon abatement technologies for fossil fuel plant. Also under the climate change programme review we are assessing the possibility of incentives for carbon capture and storage which, if found to be justified, could also encourage investment in these technologies.

Carbon Abatement Technologies

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to support the development of clean coal technology in (a) the UK and (b) Scotland.

Malcolm Wicks: The Carbon Abatement Technology Strategy announced on 14 June includes a programme of 25 million to support demonstrations over four years from 2006 and some 20 million over the next three years for RD support. This support is for the UK as a whole and until the projects have been identified it is not possible separately provide a figure for that part of the funding which would benefit Scotland.

Carbon Sequestration

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the US Department of Energy regarding its FutureGen carbon sequestration initiative.

Malcolm Wicks: We have had no formal discussions with the US Department of Energy about FutureGen although under a Collaborative Arrangement we are working with the US on two Cleaner Coal Technology Projects with the UK Government contributing some 3.5 million. We are also currently discussing collaboration on a third project.

Carbon Sequestration

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the potential for carbon sequestration in the North sea oil fields.

Malcolm Wicks: The British Geological Survey have estimated that the North sea oil fields have a capacity to store some 5.8 gigatonnes of CO 2 . The publication Review of the Feasibility of Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage in the UK published in September 2003 provides further information on the potential for storage in North sea's gas fields and aquifers.

Carbon Sequestration

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Government have spent on research and development into carbon sequestration technology in the past five years.

Malcolm Wicks: Since 1999 we have committed some 5.8 million towards a variety of RD projects which would contribute to the development of carbon capture and storage technologies.

Coal Gasification Technology

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry of what (a) public and (b) private proposals in the UK (i) to develop new power plants that utilise coal gasification technology and (ii) to retrofit existing coal-fired power plants to utilise coal gasification technology he has been informed.

Malcolm Wicks: To date we are aware of two private proposals to develop power plant using IGCC technology. One is to develop a plant in Teesside and the second to build a plant on the site of the Hatfield Colliery. Both projects are still at the feasibility stage. We are not aware of any retrofit proposals.

Coal Liabilities Unit

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports have been received since January 2004 from Coal Liabilities Unit staff responsible for updating the storybooks that detail where improvements have been made to claims handlings; and if he will publish these storybooks.

Malcolm Wicks: Regular reports are provided to the Department to allow us to monitor the effectiveness of the claims handling process. These contain commercial information and are not appropriate for publication.

Consultants

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to issue guidance on effective commissioning for those in the public and voluntary sectors who are commissioning work from external consultants.

Alan Johnson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary on 27 June 2005, Official Report, column 1286W.
	For my own Department comprehensive guidance to staff on the effective commissioning of Consultancy and Professional Services was issued to all staff via the DTI intranet in 2004. A pamphlet A Brief Guide to Engaging Consultants was published in January 2005 and was distributed to all staff in DTI London offices. Specific Budgeting and Accounting Guidance has also been issued to all Director Generals and their finance staff.

Corporate Social Responsibility

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2005, Official Report, columns 116263W, on Corporate Social Responsibility, how the sums allocated to corporate social responsibility initiatives in each year have been spent.

Alun Michael: DTI made the following allocations to Corporate Social Responsibility for the relevant years:
	CSR Budget for 200304: 330,000
	Sponsorship of:
	Business in the Community's CR Index and Awards
	Small Business Consortium's Small Business Journey
	Study by Chatham House following World Summit on Sustainable Development
	McKinsey Report on UN Global impact assessment
	Development of HMG's CSR Website
	CSR Budget for 200405: 369,000
	Sponsorship of:
	Business in the Community's CR Index, and Awards
	Small Business Consortium's Small Business Journey Toolkit
	Impact Assessment on UN Global Compact
	CSR Government Report
	CSR Budget for 200506: 500,000. Spend to date is 91,000
	CSR Academy
	UK CSR Presidency Conference
	Sponsorship of Business in the Community's CR Index, and Awards

Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (a) concerning outstanding correspondence, dated 10 December 2004 and (b) concerning Royal Mail, dated September 2004.

Malcolm Wicks: We do not appear to have received the correspondence dated 10 December 2004 referred to by the hon. Member. If the hon. Member would forward copies of this correspondence to me, we will respond with all due urgency.
	It would appear that due to an administrative oversight a reply to the hon. Member's correspondence of September 2004 was not issued. A reply will be sent within the next few days along with a sincere apology.

Defence Industrial Capability

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Tradeand Industry what aspects of defence industrial capability he is seeking to develop.

Alun Michael: The Department of Trade and Industry is working closely with the Ministry of Defence to establish a defence industrial strategy. This strategy will be aimed at prioritising the importance to the UK of defence industrial capabilities in all sectors.

Defence Units

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the duties and responsibilities are of the Export Control Organisation's (a) Policy Unit, (b) Chemical Weapons Convention Unit, (c) Enforcement Unit, (d) Secure Document Unit, (e) UK Safeguards Office, (f) IAEA Sponsorship Unit and (g) Technical Policy Unit.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 29 June 2005
	The Policy Unit is responsible for the Export Control Organisation's input into export control policy. The Chemical Weapons Convention Unit provides the UK's national Authority, required by Article VII.4 of the Chemical Weapons Convention and is responsible for the implementation of the Convention in the UK. The Enforcement Unit is responsible for the matching of intelligence material to export licence applications. The Special Documents Unit manages the Department's link to the intelligence agencies. The UK Safeguards Office ensures the application of nuclear safeguards in the UK working with UK industry and works on UK and international policy on nuclear safeguards and related nuclear non-proliferation issues. The IAEA Sponsorship Unit is responsible for nuclear non-proliferation policy as it affects the DTI. This includes the Government lead on overall relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Technical Policy Unit has been merged with Policy Unit to support their role.
	More detailed information is available from the following Government websites:
	www.dti.gov.uk/export.control/help/introductiontothe_eco.pdf
	www.dti.gov.uk/non-proliferation

Electricity Expenditure

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average amount spent by each household in England on electricity was in the last year for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: The average amount spent on electricity in 200304 across all households in England was 6.36 per week.

Energy Strategy

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for his Department to conduct a review of the Government's energy strategy.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government remain committed to the framework for energy policy, set out in the EnergyWhite Paper. In the White Paper we made a commitment to keep our progress toward our energy policy goals under review, for example through the work of the Joint Energy Security of Supply Working Group. Another example is the Climate Change Programme Review, which is already showing that we will need to do more to reach our domestic goal for carbon reductions and we are considering the options for addressing this.

England-Belgium Gas Interconnector

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the England-Belgium gas interconnector enhancement project will be completed; and whether the project is on schedule.

Malcolm Wicks: The first phase of the enhancement project is expected to be complete in December 2005, enabling a doubling of present import capacity. The second phase is scheduled for December 2006, allowing three times the present capacity to flow. I understand that both phases of the project are currently on schedule.

Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2005, Official Report, column 897W, on the Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad scheme, whether UK Trade and Investment has set a fixed number of overseas exhibitions that any one given company will be eligible to attend under the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad scheme plans for 200607; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: An eligible company will be able to receive up to three grants to attend overseas exhibitions. The target companies for this scheme are small and medium sized enterprises who are new to exporting. The purpose of the grant is to help such companies overcome perceived commercial risks in pursuing market entry and to enable them to acquire experience on the pat to sustained and successful exporting.

Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2005, Official Report, column 897W, on the Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad scheme, whether UK Trade and Investment plans to include mounting UK pavilions which will be eligible to all exporters in its Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad scheme in 200607; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: UK Trade and Investment will work with Accredited Trade Organisations to draw up a programme of overseas exhibitions, including UK pavilions. Participation in such groups will be open to all UK companies. Grant support will be limited to small and medium sized enterprises who are new toexporting.

Export Control Organisation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library thereports submitted by ASE Consulting in relation to its review of the Export Control Organisation's services.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 29 June 2005
	I have arranged for a copy of the final report released under theFreedom of Information Act to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Export Control Organisation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library the terms of reference for ASE Consulting's review of the Export Control Organisation's services.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 29 June 2005
	I have arranged for a copy of the terms of reference to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Export Control Organisation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which (a) organisations and (b) other Government departments (i) his Department and (ii) consultants commissioned by his Department have contacted in relation to the review of the Export Control Organisation's services.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 29 June 2005
	The review was internal to Government and involved FCO, MOD, DFID, the Cabinet Office, HM Revenue and Customs, HM Treasury and other Government agencies. Views of external organisations have not been formally sought.

Home Computing

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the percentage of households in Worcester that (a) own a home computer, (b) have access to the internet via a normal telephone line and (c) have access to the internet via broadband.

Alun Michael: The information is as follows:
	(a) In the latest Consumer Durables survey by ONS in 200203, 54 per cent. of households owned a home computer. This information is not available at local authority level.
	(b) and (c) In Worcester, the percentage of households with a dial-up internet connection is 30 per cent. The percentage of households with a broadband internet connection is 24.8 per cent. in Worcester.

Humbly Grove/Hole House Farm Gas Storage Facility

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the (a) Humbly Grove gas storage facility and (b) upgrade of the Hole House Farm storage facility will be complete.

Malcolm Wicks: The Humbly Grove storage facility is due to commence commercial operations in October 2005. The upgrade of the Hole House Farm storage facility is currently expected to be complete in 2008.

Liberalisation

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what position the United Kingdom will take on liberalisation of (a) agricultural markets, (b) non-agricultural markets and (c) service industries in developing countries at the World Trade Organisation General Council meeting on 27 July 2005.

Ian Pearson: The agenda has yet to be set for the World Trade Organisation General Council meeting on 27 July 2005. The European Commission speaks on behalf of the EU at these meetings. The United Kingdom will continue to work for a pro-development outcome across all the dossiers of the Doha development agenda, as set out in our White Paper Making Globalisation a Time for Good.

MG Rover

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of its actions in trying to prevent MG Rover entering administration; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The DTI, in common with other commentators, had long taken the view that an alliance with one or more strategic partners would be key to MG Rover's long-term future. Officials tracked the progress of negotiations with China Brilliance Automotive, TATA, Proton and the owners of the former Daewoo plant in Warsaw and Ministers made representations at the company's request to assist in certain of these negotiations.
	During 2004 it became clear that the proposed alliance with SAIC was critical to MG Rover's future. Ministers and officials did everything possible to secure the deal when it became clear that matters were coming to a head earlier this year. Senior officials flew to Shanghai for discussions with SAIC and the Government stood ready to provide a bridging loan of over 100 million. It was a devastating blow to all those involved, but particularly the workers and their families, that those efforts proved unsuccessfulwith the company's entry into administration being the inevitable consequence.

Miners (Compensation Claims)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many health-related claims for compensation from surface workers in the coal industry have been refused.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department's expert medical advice is that respirable dust levels on the surface of coal mines were insufficient to cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the great majority of cases. The Department believes that around 7,500 surface only claims may have been registered under the Claims Handling Agreement for respiratory disease. However, they are not eligible for compensation.
	The miners' solicitors had been intending to contest this in new group litigation but advised the court in December 2004 that they were not now going ahead with this. Individual claims may be brought against the Department under common law.

Miners (Compensation Claims)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims relating to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in coal miners have been refused where the claimant worked more than five years underground.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 27 June 2005
	The figure requested is not available. However, no claim would be denied solely on the basis of the length of underground employment.

Non-agricultural Market Access

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's stance at the World Trade Organisation is on non-agricultural market access negotiations, with particular reference to protecting the environment.

Ian Pearson: Negotiations in Geneva on NAMA are undertaken by the European Commission on behalf of the European Union. The UK objective in the NAMA negotiations within the Doha Development Agenda trade round is for significantly improved real access to markets (except those of least developed developing countries and other weak and vulnerable countries) for all WTO members, especially developing country access to developed markets, and to give a stimulus to trade between developing countries. This to be achieved through the reduction or elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers. Our commitment to sustainable development underpins our rating stance. Consistent with the Doha trade negotiations mandate the UK also fully supports the reduction or elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in environmental goods. The UK does not support any steps in the NAMA negotiations that would deny us, or others, the ability to enforce or implement necessary and proportionate environmental protection measures.

North West (Economy)

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are taking to strengthen the regional economy of the north west following the redundancies announced by Lappett Manufacturing Company Ltd.; and what assistance the Government will provide to those who have lost their jobs.

Alun Michael: The job losses announced by LappettManufacturing Company are regrettable but Iunderstand this is a commercial decision in the light of strong international competition. Support for those losing their jobs is available from Jobcentre Plus who can assist them in seeking other opportunities (including on retraining) as well as providing benefit advice.
	Much is happening to help strengthen the north west economy. In particular the North West Development Agency has supported a range of initiatives and is working with partners across the region to deliver the regional economic strategy. It is also now working with the other northern regions to take forward the northern way growth strategy. These initiatives are contributing to improving business competitiveness and productivity, strengthening the regions skills base and providing the right environment to retain and attract investment.
	Initiatives include a cluster development programme to develop strong clusters around growth sectors, a major manufacturing sector project, 'Agenda for Change', providing intensive business support, a realignment of business support services and workforce development to achieve greater business productivity, provision of technology support facilities, including the Lancashire Technology Management, and supply chain programmes.
	Despite the recent losses, unemployment in the north west is now 2.4 per cent. compared to 6.6 per cent. in 1995, and I am encouraged by the progress that is being made. I applaud the energy and commitment in the region to ensure the significant resources available are used to the maximum effect.

Oil and Gas Imports

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State forTrade and Industry what assessment he has made of the potential consequences for the UK's energy security of continued reliance on imported oil and natural gas.

Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make a report on security of supply to Parliament in July. This will include an assessment of the consequences of the UK becoming increasingly dependent on imported sources of fuel.
	Import dependency is not necessarily a threat to energy security. Oil andcurrently to a lesser extentgas are internationally traded commodities. All countries, whether import-dependent or not, have a common interest in promoting open markets and predictable prices. Most other advanced industrial economies already import significant proportions of their energy needs without noticeable disruption.

Pensioners

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of people over state pension age who were (a) working in low paid jobs, (b) receiving the minimum wage and (c) receiving below the minimum wage in (i) the UK and (ii) each region in each of the last eight years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Data for the UK from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings indicates that in 2003 around 170,000 (29 per cent.) of employees who were over the state pension age earned below 60 per cent. of median earnings (5.24). In 2004, the figure was largely unchanged with around 180,000 (29 per cent.) of employees earning below 60 per cent. of median earnings (5.42).
	Due to the sample size it is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the number of employees who are over state retirement age who actually earn the minimum wage exactly.
	The DTI estimates that in the UK around 60,000 employees over state pension age stood to benefit from the October 2003 uprating of the national minimum wage to 4.50. This is equivalent to 9.5 per cent. of all employees over state pension age.
	Around 80,000 employees over the state pension age stood to benefit from the October 2004 uprating of the national minimum wage to 4.85. This is equivalent to 12.7 per cent. of all employees over state pension age
	It is not possible to give estimates for the regions due to small sample sizes.
	These estimates assume full compliance.

Post Office Services (Amington)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Tradeand Industry when Post Office Ltd. will write to the hon. Member for Tamworth regarding provision of post office services in Amington, as promised in the written answer of 7 April 2005, Official Report, column 1633W.

Barry Gardiner: Post Office Ltd. makes every effort to issue replies to hon. Members within five working days of receiving our request for information. It would appear that due to an administrative error my hon. Friend's question was not passed on to Mr. Mills' office at Post Office Ltd. for a direct reply. This has now been done and a response will be sent direct to my hon. Friend within the next few days.

Press Officers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many press officers the Department employed in each year since 1997; and what the cost was in each year.

Alan Johnson: The number of press officers employed by the Department of Trade and Industry for the years requested are as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 20 
			 1998 17 
			 1999 24 
			 2000 25 
			 2001 23 
			 2002 23 
			 2003 23 
			 2004 19 
			 2005 18 
		
	
	Information on the costs is not held in the form requested and could be recovered only at disproportionate cost.

Public Telephone Boxes

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements are made for public consultation in respect of decisions to remove public telephone boxes.

Alun Michael: The matter raised is the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as independent regulator. Accordingly, DTI officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House and Ishall also see a copy of the letter.

Renewable Energy (Coventry)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being taken to encourage the use of renewable energy in Coventry, South.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government's primary support mechanism for Renewables Energy in the UK is the Renewables Obligation (RO). The RO requires electricity suppliers to obtain an annually increasing percentage of their electricity from renewable source. This is supported by over 500 million in spending on developing emerging renewables and low carbon technologies up to 2008.
	Though not directly relating to Coventry, South there are a number of initiatives to encourage renewables in the region.
	The Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM), together with its partners The West Midlands Regional Assembly and Advantage West Midlands, has recently published a booklet in March 2005 entitled a 'Common Sense Guide To Renewable Energy'. This is intended for non-experts to help them understand the concept better and encourage them to get involved in renewable energy projects.
	The regions latest 'Regional Sustainable Development Framework' published in January 2005 by Sustainability West Midlands also promotes the increased use of energy generated from renewable sources.

Royal Mail

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State forTrade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Mail about delivery of mail in Essex.

Barry Gardiner: DTI Ministers and officials meet with representatives from Royal Mail on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues, including delivery performance issues.
	We are pleased to see that Royal Mail's quality of service has improved overall over the past year. We have received assurances from Allan Leighton and Adam Crozier that the board will continue to give quality of service top priority.

Royal Mail

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to share the ownership of Royal Mail beyond Government.

Barry Gardiner: The Government have given Royal Mail greater commercial freedom and have no plans to privatise it.

Taxis

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Department has spent on taxis in each of the last five years.

Alan Johnson: The Department's expenditure on taxis in each of the last two years amounted to 320,763 in 200304 and 344,620 in 200405.
	Prior to 200304 taxi expenditure was collated as part of the overall costs of travel and subsistence, rather than being separately identified.

TUPE

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish new guidelines for TUPE arrangements covering the movement of public sector workers into the private sector.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government are currently revising the TUPE regulations and expects to lay them before Parliament in the autumn to come into effect on 6 April 2006. Guidance on the application of these new regulations will be issued later in the year.
	Transfers of staff from the public sector to the private sector are covered by a Statement of Practice issued by the Cabinet Office in 2000 entitled Staff Transfers in the Public Sector, which will be revised, as required, in the light of the revised TUPE regulations. Staff in public sector transfers involving local government contracting are covered by the provisions of the Local Government Bill.

Union of Democratic Mineworkers

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether officials from his Department (a) advised and (b) assisted the Union of Democratic Mineworkers to set up Vendside.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department neither advised nor assisted the Union of Democratic Mineworkers to set up Vendside.

Union of Democratic Mineworkers

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what monitoring his Department undertook of the activities of Vendside.

Malcolm Wicks: Vendside is the Union of Democratic Mineworkers' (UDM) claims handling company. The Department meets with the UDM to discuss operational issues relating to the claims handling process.

Union of Democratic Mineworkers

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department became aware of the business relationship between Vendside and Walker and Co. Claims Services Ltd.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department became aware of the business relationship between Vendside and Walker and Co. Claims Services Ltd. in January 2005.

Union of Democratic Mineworkers

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department became aware of the need to investigate the activity of Vendside and the Union of Democratic Mineworkers relating to coal health claims; and what action the Department took.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department became aware of the investigation into the activity of Vendside and the Union of Democratic Mineworkers in January 2005 and has been co-operating fully with the police investigation since this time.

Union of Democratic Mineworkers

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department plans to take to safeguard the claims of former miners and their widows whose claims were lodged with Vendside; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my hon. Friend to my written statement to the House of 30 June 2005, Official Report, columns 6668WS.

Union of Democratic Mineworkers

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will suspend his Department's handling agreement with the Union of Democratic Mineworkers pending the conclusion of the fraud squad inquiry into the affairs of the Union.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the Member to my written statement to the House of 30 June 2005, Official Report, columns 6668WS.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Tradeand Industry what estimate the Government have made of the cost to local councils of the implementation of the waste electrical and electronic equipment directive.

Malcolm Wicks: Local authorities have no specific obligations under the forthcoming WEEE implementing regulations although their established role in relation to domestic waste collection means they will be involved in the practical implementation. The Department is encouraging local authorities to participate in the system it is establishing to implement the WEEE directive, which will build on the existing contact and awareness householders have with their local civic amenity sites.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Electoral Registration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will (a) issue guidelines on how to increase voter registration and (b) produce a league table of the best- and worst-performing local authorities in respect of voter registration; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The Electoral Commission has previously issued guidance to electoral registration officers in the form of its 'Managing Electoral Services' documents. The Commission has informed the Government that these documents are due to be updated within the coming months.
	The Government have agreed with the Electoral Commission's recommendation in its report 'Voting for Change', to introduce performance standards for electoral administrators. The Government will implement this recommendation when parliamentary time allows.

Electoral Registration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will assess the implications of the experience of the introduction of single registration in Northern Ireland for voter registration in the rest of the UK, with particular reference to those council wards that are experiencing under-registration; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: We are currently considering how the electoral registration system in Great Britain might be improved both to improve security and increase access. We intend to bring forward legislation on this issue when parliamentary time allows.
	We are drawing on the Northern Ireland experience as set out in the Electoral Commission's report The Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002: An assessment of its first year in operation, the Commission's subsequent update reports, the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee report Electoral Registration in Northern Ireland, and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee report Electoral Registration.

Electoral Registration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much hasbeen spent in real terms on voter registration per elector in each local authority area in each of the last 10years.

Harriet Harman: As electoral registration is dealt with and funded at local level, this information would be held by individual local authorities, and is not something that is held centrally by Government.

Electoral Registration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will assess the merits of using (a) council tax registration, (b) Census and (c) Labour Force Survey data to augment the electoral register; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Under the Representation of the People Regulations 2001, Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) have access to the records of the local authority that appointed them for the purpose of their registration duties. Further, where an ERO receives an application to register under rolling registration provisions, and the applicant indicates that they are currently registered at an address outside the ERO's area but have ceased to reside there, the new ERO is required as soon as practicable to notify the former ERO that the applicant no longer resides in his area. We are currently considering whether the sources of data available to EROs should be broadened, taking into account any data protection implications, to help EROs carry out their duties.

Electoral Registration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the impact voter under-registration has on the Department's aim of the greatest possible access to democracy;
	(2)  if she will commission research into the reasons for low levels of voter registration;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the level of under-registration in UK constituencies; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The Government are concerned that persons that are entitled to register to vote, should be included on electoral registers.
	My Department has been conducting research into the attitudes of the electorate, especially those who are currently the most disengaged. A report is being prepared. In terms of registration, the variable with greatest association with non-registration is age, with younger respondents being less likely to be registered.
	The Electoral Commission is also undertaking research into registration rates and will report in due course.

Electoral Registration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will seek to amend data protection legislation to allow the exchange of information between local authority departments for the compilation of the electoral register; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Under the Representation of the People Regulations 2001, Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) have access to the records of the local authority that appointed them for the purpose of their registration duties. Further, where an ERO receives an application to register under rolling registration provisions, and the applicant indicates that they are currently registered at an address outside the ERO's area but have ceased to reside there, the new ERO is required as soon as practicable to notify the former ERO that the applicant no longer resides in his area. We are currently considering whether the sources of data available to EROs should be broadened, taking into account any data protection implications, to help EROs carry out their duties.

Electoral Registration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005 to the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Derek Wyatt), Official Report, column 181W, on the electoral register, how many prosecutions for failure to complete and return an annual registration form there were in each of the last 10years in each local authority area; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: This information is not collected centrally. However, I understand that there have only been a few prosecutions for failure to complete and return an annual registration form over the last 10 years. I am aware of the following instances; Medway council have prosecuted individuals in 2003 and 2004 and East Cambridgeshire district council prosecuted a person in 2004 for putting false information on the annual registration form. In 2003, ODPM conducted a survey on turnout at local elections and reported that nine authorities replied that they had prosecuted non-responders to the annual canvass form.

Electoral Registration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether voter under-registration will be taken into account by the boundary commission when reviewing boundaries in England.

Harriet Harman: In accordance with the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, the boundary commission for England will base its recommendations on the number of electors on the register in force on the date that the commission announced its review in February 2000. The boundary commission has previously indicated that its review will take account of the new wards resulting from the Periodic Electoral Reviews being conducted by the Local Government Commission for England.

Legal Aid

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make an assessment of the impact of the level of legal aid on high street solicitors' firms.

Bridget Prentice: In the civil bid round held in April 2004 for the award of new solicitor General Civil Contracts with the Legal Services Commission (LSC) over 90 per cent. of solicitor firms applied to renew their contracts. As at 31 March 2005, 2,643 solicitors' offices operated under a Criminal Defence Service contract compared with 2,669 as at 31 March 2004.
	Reasons cited by those solicitors' firms that are withdrawing from legal aid work have included remuneration and profitability. However, the Department's Review of Supply, Demand and Purchasing Arrangements concluded that the legal aid marketfor both civil and criminal workcould absorb a small increase in demand for services without the need for an increase in remuneration. Independent research contained in the Financial Benchmarking Survey 2004 produced by the Law Management Section of The Law Society suggests that there may be a positive correlation between the profitability of a firm and it's handling of a moderate amount of legal aid work. This indicates that the discipline of undertaking legal aid work could result in operational efficiencies, which extend across the firm.

Legal Aid

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how barristers will be remunerated for preparatory work on criminal cases eligible for legal aid which do not proceed to trial.

Bridget Prentice: For criminal cases which do not proceed to trial, advocates are currently remunerated either within the Graduated Fee scheme, or by means of an ex post facto assessment of preparation work. The choice of means depends on the amount of prosecution evidence, the number of witnesses and the estimated length of trial.
	The Department has consulted with the legal professions to include all those cases that do not proceedto trial within the Graduated Fee scheme. The Lord Chancellor is considering the results of that consultation. The aim is to produce a scheme where payments reflect more accurately the amount of work undertaken at each stage until the trial.

Postal Voting

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the effect on turnout of postal voting on demand.

Harriet Harman: Returning Officers have a duty to complete a 'statement as to postal ballot papers'; for each election (form K, schedule 3 to the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001). This includes the total of postal ballot papers issued and received by the Returning Officer.
	The Electoral Commission will collate and publish this information later this summer, as part of their general duty to report on UK Parliamentary elections. We cannot make an assessment of the exact percentage of the overall turnout that can be attributed to postal voting, until the Commission publishes its report.

Postal Voting

Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many cases resulting in conviction there have been of (a) denying another person's right to a secret vote when using a postal ballot and (b) forcing another to vote for a certain person or political party when using a postal ballot in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: This information is not held centrally. The following table indicates the number of people found guilty of electoral fraud related offences from 1994 to 2002. Since 2002 a councillor in Blackburn pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the returning officer. He was sentenced to 3 years and 7 months on 8 April 2005 and in Guildford, a councillor was jailed for four months in April 2004 for forging ballot papers in a local election.
	
		Persons(5) proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts of various fraud related offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983, England and Wales 1994 to 2002
		
			  Offence description: tampering with nomination and ballot papers etc. making false declarations as to election expenses, bribery, treating, undue influence and personation offences 
			  Persons proceeded against Persons found guilty 
		
		
			 1994 1 2 
			 1995 12 14 
			 1996   
			 1997 9 5 
			 1998 7 6 
			 1999 3 5 
			 2000(6) 2 1 
			 2001 16 10 
			 2002 1 1 
		
	
	(5)These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(6)Excluding any cases in Staffordshire.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefits/Pensions (Payment Methods)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many customers have responded to the invitation to move to the direct payment of pensions and benefits stating that they couldnot open or operate a bank or Post Office card account;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of pension and benefit recipients have been identified as suitable for the cheque-based system of paying pensions and benefits.

James Plaskitt: Information is not available in the format requested. We did not collect data on how many customers responded stating that they could not open or operate an account.
	We contacted all customers who were not paid by direct payment asking them to provide details of which account they would like their money paid into. Customers who did not provide account details (for whatever reason, including not being able to open or operate an account) were moved to cheque payment.
	We are now paying over 96 per cent. of customer accounts by direct payment.
	The number and percentage of customers that were being paid by cheque at April 2005 is shown in the following chart:
	
		
			  GB total 
		
		
			 Total customers (million) 16.1 
			 Paid by cheque (million) 0.712 
			 Paid by cheque (percentage) 4

Benefits/Pensions (Payment Methods)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has toevaluate the success of the exceptions scheme for people who are unable to use Post Office card accounts or basic bank accounts to receive their pensions or benefits.

James Plaskitt: As at April 2005 there were 712,000 customers who were being paid regularly by cheque.
	We have monitored payment by cheques since they replaced girocheques in October 2004 and will continue to do so.
	We believe that while cheques are a practical way of paying customers we also believe that, wherever possible, our customers should be encouraged to be paid direct into an account. That method of payment provides the safest, most reliable and best service.

Benefits/Pensions (Payment Methods)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Gordon and (b) the North East of Scotland have been contacted about the move to the Direct Payment of benefits and pensions; and how many of those have (i) opted to receive their benefits or pension into a (A) bank account and (B) Post Office Card Account (ii) responded that direct payment is not a suitable method for the payment of benefits and (iii) not responded.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested. Information which is available at 16 April 2005 is shown in the table.
	All DWP customers have now been contacted about the move to Direct Payment and in Scotland we are now paying over 95 per cent. of customer accounts this way. Independent research has shown that there are very high levels of satisfaction among those customers who have transferred to Direct Payment.
	Customers who did not respond to the initial invitation were contacted again and those who still did not provide account details were moved to cheque payment following confirmation of their on-going entitlement.
	
		Benefit and pension accounts in Scotland by method of payment and parliamentary constituency as at April 2005
		
			  All Direct payment via bank account Direct payment via post office card account Cheque Payable order 
		
		
			 Scotland 1,933,365 1,351,580 497,535 82,320 1,935 
			 Aberdeen Central 21,445 15,195 5,345 855 50 
			 Aberdeen North 22,285 16,120 5,395 760 15 
			 Aberdeen South 24,020 18,410 4,875 710 20 
			 Airdrie and Shotts 33,010 20,125 11,230 1,590 65 
			 Angus 28,530 22,290 5,300 900 40 
			 Argyll and Bute 24,900 18,100 5,545 1,220 35 
			 Ayr 30,170 21,790 7,280 1,045 55 
			 Banff and Buchan 28,205 19,255 7,900 1,030 20 
			 Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross 20,580 14,335 5,315 905 25 
			 Carrick Cumnock and Doon Valley 37,800 25,155 11,400 1,225 20 
			 Central Fife 31,485 22,655 7,815 1,005 15 
			 Clydebank and Milngavie 24,815 18,010 5,600 1,195 10 
			 Clydesdale 33,075 24,315 7,535 1,205 15 
			 Coatbridge and Chryston 28,720 17,435 9,980 1,305 5 
			 Cumbernauld and Kilsyth 23,135 16,790 5,530 800 10 
			 Cunninghame North 30,620 21,635 7,640 1,320 25 
			 Cunninghame South 27,535 18,395 7,915 1,210 15 
			 Dumbarton 24,285 17,865 5,195 1,200 25 
			 Dumfries 31,475 23,395 7,010 1,050 20 
			 Dundee East 31,960 21,680 8,905 1,360 20 
			 Dundee West 28,960 20,020 7,645 1,285 10 
			 Dunfermline East 26,970 19,295 6,720 950 10 
			 Dunfermline West 23,235 17,595 4,890 705 45 
			 East Kilbride 29,875 22,910 6,015 945 5 
			 East Lothian 27,920 20,430 6,490 970 25 
			 Eastwood 28,600 22,795 4,955 820 30 
			 Edinburgh Central 21,625 16,020 4,490 1,090 20 
			 Edinburgh East and Musselburgh 29,085 20,220 7,245 1,610 10 
			 Edinburgh North and Leith 23,765 17,085 5,280 1,385 20 
			 Edinburgh Pentlands 23,500 18,005 4,595 880 20 
			 Edinburgh South 23,470 17,755 4,615 1,050 45 
			 Edinburgh West 26,475 20,550 4,960 915 50 
			 Falkirk East 25,080 17,720 6,525 815 20 
			 Falkirk West 28,165 19,860 6,985 1,250 70 
			 Galloway and Upper Nithsdale 29,780 20,820 8,015 915 30 
			 Glasgow Anniesland 31,520 19,615 9,750 2,110 45 
			 Glasgow Baillieston 31,220 17,720 11,510 1,970 20 
			 Glasgow Cathcart 26,835 17,645 7,850 1,315 25 
			 Glasgow Govan 24,690 16,815 6,440 1,395 35 
			 Glasgow Kelvin 21,980 13,775 6,555 1,640 15 
			 Glasgow Maryhill 31,000 16,830 11,640 2,500 30 
			 Glasgow Pollok 30,885 19,465 9,790 1,530 105 
			 Glasgow Rutherglen 29,190 18,405 9,465 1,290 25 
			 Glasgow Shettleston 33,145 17,635 12,985 2,515 15 
			 Glasgow Springburn 34,845 18,405 13,775 2,615 50 
			 Gordon 22,520 16,775 5,145 590 15 
			 Greenock and Inverclyde 27,605 18,465 7,865 1,250 20 
			 Hamilton North and Bellshill 27,940 17,940 8,765 1,210 25 
			 Hamilton South 26,070 16,915 8,040 1,100 15 
			 Inverness East Nairn and Lochaber 29,560 22,095 6,185 1,245 30 
			 Kilmarnock and Loudoun 31,205 22,030 7,815 1,325 30 
			 Kirkcaldy 26,380 19,315 6,270 780 20 
			 Linlithgow 27,180 18,720 7,295 1,155 10 
			 Livingston 26,985 20,050 5,820 1,090 25 
			 Midlothian 24,510 18,170 5,335 980 25 
			 Moray 26,570 19,615 6,005 925 25 
			 Motherwell and Wishaw 31,100 19,140 10,410 1,530 15 
			 North East Fife 24,165 18,445 4,895 765 60 
			 North Tayside 30,075 23,565 5,540 940 30 
			 Ochil 26,700 19,650 6,255 785 10 
			 Orkney and Shetland 13,020 9,595 2,935 480 10 
			 Paisley North 26,890 17,850 7,735 1,290 15 
			 Paisley South 28,950 19,590 8,080 1,220 60 
			 Perth 28,555 22,035 5,570 930 25 
			 Ross Skye and Inverness West 26,890 19,295 6,335 1,220 40 
			 Roxburgh and Berwickshire 22,730 17,000 5,085 625 25 
			 Stirling 23,415 16,695 5,935 765 20 
			 Strathkelvin and Bearsden 27,090 21,600 4,645 820 25 
			 Tweeddale Ettrick and Lauderdale 21,890 16,870 4,385 615 20 
			 West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine 20,935 16,290 4,115 520 15 
			 West Renfrewshire 23,695 17,015 5,720 920 40 
			 Western Isles 10,885 6,525 3,440 910 10 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 and may not sum due to rounding.
	2.Figures are taken from the latest available data at 16 April 2005.
	3.Figures refer to payment accounts. Claimants with more than one account will be counted for each account and customers with combined payments will only be counted through the paying benefit (i.e. RP with PC). Figures relate only to accounts live and in payment on the specified date.
	4.Child benefit is now administered by the Inland Revenue and War Pensions are now administered by MOD. These benefits have therefore been excluded.
	5.Parliamentary constituencies are allocated using the relevant ONS postcode directory.
	Source:
	DWP, Information Directorate, 100 per cent. data.

Disability Living Allowance

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2005, Official Report, column 1247W, on disability living allowance, what assessment he has made of the reasons the percentage of rejected claims has increased since 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for the chief executive of the Disability and Carers Service, Mr. Terry Moran. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Terry Moran to Mr. Angus MacNeil, dated 4 July 2005
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 27th June, Official Report, column1247W, on disability living allowance, for what reason the percentage of rejected claims has increased since 2002. The Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP, promised you a substantive reply from the Chief Executive of the Disability and Carers Service.
	The percentage rejections on disability living allowance claims has increased since 2002 because the conditions of entitlement to benefit have been found not to be satisfied in a greater proportion of claims.
	No action has been taken by Disability and Carers Service with the intention of reducing the award rate. Our intention remains to pay the right money to the right person at the right time.
	I hope this is helpful.

Housing Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what criteria were used to set the broad rental market areas in the housing benefit pathfinders; how often they will be reviewed; and how they will be monitored;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of how up-to-date the information used by rent officers to set (a) standard housing allowances in the pathfinders and (b) the local reference rents or single room rents elsewhere is.

James Plaskitt: The administration of The Rent Service is a matter for the chief executive, Charlotte Copeland. She will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Charlotte Copeland to Mr. Paul Goodman, dated 4 July 2005
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about The Rent Service, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, about the criteria used to set the broad rental market areas in the housing benefit pathfinders, how often they will be reviewed, how they will be monitored, and how up-to-date information used by rent officers is when setting rents for Housing Benefit purposes.
	The criteria used by rent officers to set the broad rental market areas are covered in the Rent Officers (Housing Benefit Functions) (Local Housing Allowance) Amendment Order 2003 [Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 2398]. This defines the broad rental market area as:
	... an area
	(a) comprising two or more distinct areas of residential accommodation, each distinct area of residential accommodation adjoining at least one other in the area;
	(b) within which a person could reasonably be expected to live having regard to facilities and services for the purposes of health, education, recreation, personal banking and shopping, taking account of the distance of travel, by public and private transport, to and from facilities and services of the same type and similar standard; and
	(c) containing residential premises of a variety of types, and including such premises held on a variety of tenancies.
	The broad rental market areas are reviewed on a monthly basis, with a more in depth review carried out each quarter.
	The broad rental market areas are monitored through the monthly and quarterly review process and The Rent Service's own internal quality assurance processes.
	Rent officers continually research the private rented sector for market evidence of lettings of property and accommodation where the rent is being paid without the aid of housing benefit. The Rent Service's market evidence database is therefore continually being updated with the latest information available.
	Rent officers use the most up to date market evidence available when setting Local Housing Allowances, Local Reference Rents and Single Room Rents. The Rent Service's guidelines are that market evidence used should be, in the main, no more than 3 months old, but with a maximum of six months if this is necessary in some cases.
	If there is anything further you require, please do not hesitate to contact me direct.

Income Support

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average response time is for processing new applications for income support; and what the figure is for applications received by the Department's Ilford office.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie to Mr. James Brokenshire, dated 4 July 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what the average time is for processing new applications for Income Support: and what the figure is for applications received by the Department's Ilford office. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The national average clearance time for new applications to Income Support to year ending May 2005 is 10.5 days. The target for the clearance of Income Support claims is 12 days.
	As at 31 May 2005 Ilford Benefit Processing Centre (BPC) had 800 new claims waiting to be processed, taking an average of 21.5working days to process.
	As at 20 June 2005 there were 276 new claims outstanding, taking an average of 13 working days to process.
	As part of the Department for Work and Pensions modernisation programme, backroom benefits work for North East London District customers has been centralised at Ilford BPC. As the work from various locations was transferred to the centre there was an increase in the number of telephone enquiries from customers, which caused a backlog of work. Interim measures were put in place to alleviate the immediate problems; these included the opening of additional telephone lines and the deployment of staff from outside the BPC to speed up the processing of claims. The situation at the BPC was monitored daily by local management to ensure any telephone delays were minimised.
	The increase in the number of telephone lines coming into the office helped to improve the situation and it will continue to improve as more staff become available in the BPC over the coming weeks and as more work is done to further increase the telephone capacity.
	As the figures show there has been a significant improvement over the past month in processing new applications reflecting the hard work of local management and staff.
	Local management will continue to monitor the situation.
	I hope this is helpful.

Maternity Grant

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Sure Start maternity grants have been paid to mothers in each age cohort from 12 to 19 in each year since 200001; and how many mothers received such a grant in respect of a second or subsequent child in each case.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Post Office Card Accounts

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Post Office card accounts have been opened; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: As at 15 May 2005, 4,720,824 Post Office card accounts were open for the receipt of benefits, pensions and tax credits.

Poverty (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are estimated to be living below the poverty line in each London borough.

Margaret Hodge: Poverty is about more than low income. It is also about health, housing and the quality of the environment. The sixth annual 'Opportunity for all' report (Cm 6239), published in September 2004, sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and presents information on the indicators used to measure progress against this strategy.
	Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain is available in Households Below Average Income 1994/952003/04. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income. Data is not available below regional level, therefore we are not able to provide figures for London boroughs.
	Copies of both documents are available in the Library.

TREASURY

Census

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people aged over 18 years there were in each parliamentary constituency in England and Wales according to the 2001 census, broken down by ward.

John Healey: holding answer 28 June 2005
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 30 June 2005
	As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales, I am replying to your recent parliamentary question asking how many people aged over 18 years there were in each parliamentary constituency in England and Wales according to the 2001 census, broken down by ward. (7764)
	We have interpreted the phrase over 18 to mean aged 18 and over. Specially commissioned table COS 19 has been run to identify the number of people aged 18 and over living in each ward within each parliamentary constituency in England and Wales on census day (29 April 2001). The table has been placed in the House of Commons Library [and can also be accessed on the National Statistics website at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/opl5.asp].
	
		
			 Parliamentary constituency Ward Persons aged 19 and over 
		
		
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBFT Alnmouth and Lesbury 1,413 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBFU Alnwick Castle 2,708 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBFW Alnwick Clayport 1,640 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBFX Alnwick Hotspur 1,752 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBFY Amble Central 1,719 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBFZ Amble East 1,759 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBGA Amble West 1,588 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35LJBGE Longframlington 1,669 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBGF Longhoughton with Craster and Rennington 2,399 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBGG Rothbury and South Rural 2,412 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBGH Shilbottle 2,448 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBGJ Warkworth 1,645 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UBGK Whittingham 1,536 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCFU Belford 1,475 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCFW Cheviot 1,417 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCFX Edward 1,358 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCFY Elizabeth 2,084 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCGB Islandshire 2,203 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCGCLowick 1,563 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCGD Norhamshire 1,270 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCGE North Sunderland 2,180 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCGF Prior 2,095 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCGG Seton 1,439 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCGJ Spittal 2,298 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UCGKWooler 1,514 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UEFY Chevington 2,592 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UEFZ Ellington 2,289 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UEGA Hartburn 793 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UEGD Longhorsley 1,150 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UEGE Lynemouth 1,366 
			 025 Berwick-upon-Tweed 35UEGT Ulgham 2,275 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UGGB Byerley 2,622 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UGGG Low Spennymoor and Tudhoe Grange 4,314 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UGGH Middlestone 3,979 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UGGN Spennymoor 4,079 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UGGP Sunnydale 2,849 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UGGQ Thickley 2,704 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UGGR Tudhoe 2,739 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UHFW Barnard Castle East 1,305 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UHFX Barnard Castle North 1,180 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UHFY Barnard Castle West 2,840 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UHGA Cockfield 1,272 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UHGC Eggleston 1,126 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UHGD Etherley 1,933 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UHGE Evenwood 1,820 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UHGF Gainford and Winston 1,820 
			 042 Bishop Auckland 20UHGG Greta 1,043

Census

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the legal basis was for the disclosure of personal information, by the Registrar General, from closed decennial censuses for England and Wales, during the period 1972 to 2001, in return for a search fee.

John Healey: The information requested falls with the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 4 July 2005
	As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the legal basis was for the disclosure of personal information by the Registrar General, from closed decennial census for England and Wales between 1997 and 2001. (9508)
	On 21 November 1972 the then Secretary of State Keith Joseph who had responsibility for the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (now the Office for National Statistics) announced in Parliament a concession which allowed, subject in each instance to the consent of the person concerned or that of one of his direct descendants the release of limited information on age and place of birth only. This concession applied to censuses prior to and including that of 1901.
	On 12 April 1989 the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Roger Freeman announced in Parliament an extension to the concession to allow the release in respect of persons who died childless, provided the consent of the next of kin was given. In addition, age and place of birth information would be available to public trustee administrators seeking to trace possible beneficiaries to the estate of a deceased person.
	On 21 April 1993 the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Tom Sackville announced in Parliament that the Registrar General would be willing to consider particular applications for information to be extracted from the 1901 Census and the 1911 Censuses if it would enable the applicant to establish a legal entitlement such as an inheritance. Such authority would be given only where the information was not available from any other source and was clearly requisite for establishing the entitlement in question.
	Mr Sackville went on to say that the Registrar General would wish to be satisfied from documentary evidence as to the identity of the applicant. Where the desired information from the census form related to a living person other than the applicant, that person's consent would be required before the information would be released.
	The census records to which the concessions applied were held by the Public Record Office (now National Archives) and under the legislation existing at the timethe Public Records Act Section 5(4) it was not unlawful for the Keeper of the Public Records to permit a person to inspect any records if he had obtained special authority in that behalf from the Registrar General. The Registrar General gave authority for searches to be made in respect of those applications which satisfied the conditions of the concessions.

Accountancy Secondments

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals from (a) KPMG, (b) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (c) Deloitte, (d) Ernst and Young, (e) Grant Thornton and (f) BDO Stoy Hayward are seconded to his Department; what their roles are; and what the cost to his Department is of each such secondment.

John Healey: The following table provides information requested:
	
		
			   Number of secondees   Roles Total monthly charge including VAT () 
		
		
			 KPMG 3 Senior advisor financial management  
			   Business tax specialist 24,840 
			   PFI commercial advisor  
			 PWC 2 Senior advisor corporate and private finance projects 15,422 
			   Environment tax specialist  
			 Deloitte 2 VAT policy advisor 4,895 
			   Corporate finance advisor  
			 Ernst  Young 0  0 
			 BDO Stoy Hayward 0  0 
			 Grant Thornton 0  0

Alcohol/Drug Related Deaths

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of how many deaths, in each Government Office region, alcohol was the primary cause in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Lynne Featherstone, dated 30 June 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking in respect of how many deaths, in each Government Office Region, alcohol was the primary cause in each of the last five years. (7966)
	The latest year for which figures are available is 2004. The table shows the numbers of deaths among residents of Government Office Regions where the underlying cause of death indicated a condition directly related to alcohol use in the years 2000 to 2004.
	
		Alcohol-related deaths(7) to usual residents of Government Office Regions, registered 2000 to 2004
		
			  Year of registration 
			 Area of usual residence 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Government Office Region in England   
			 North East 335 346 346 389 430 
			 North West 950 1,053 1,065 1,115 1,179 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 428 500 487 580 627 
			 East Midlands 427 420 446 497 497 
			 West Midlands 604 664 710 752 750 
			 East of England 438 454 473 489 491 
			 London 806 809 838 834 772 
			 South East 725 843 831 882 842 
			 South West 467 500 502 527 537 
			 Wales 345 396 372 416 419 
			   
			 England and Wales 5,525 5,985 6,070 6,481 6,544 
		
	
	(7)For the year 2000 the cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9). The codes used by ONS to define alcohol-related deaths are listed below:
	291Alcoholic psychoses
	303Alcohol dependence syndrome
	305.0Non-dependent abuse of alcohol
	425.5Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
	571Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
	E860Accidental poisoning by alcohol.
	For the years 20012004 the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) was used. To maintain comparability with earlier years the following codes were used:
	F10Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol
	142.6Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
	K70Alcoholic liver disease
	K73Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified
	K74Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver
	X45Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol.
	Deaths were selected using the original underlying cause.
	The selection of codes to define alcohol-related deaths is described in:
	Baker A and Rooney C (2003). Recent trends in alcohol-related mortality, and the impact of ICD-10 on the monitoring of these deaths in England and Wales. Health Statistics Quarterly 17, pp514.

Alcohol/Drug Related Deaths

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths in which the primary cause was (a) alcohol and (b) illegal drugs there were in (i) Stroud and (ii) Gloucestershire in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Drew, dated 30 June 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths in which the primary cause was (a) alcohol and (b) illegal drugs there were in (i) Stroud and (ii) Gloucestershire in each of the last five years. (8001)
	The most recently available information is for deaths registered in 2004 and deaths occurring in 2003. Relevant figures are only readily available for deaths where the underlying cause was either related to drug poisoning or directly related to alcohol (alcohol abuse, dependence and poisoning, and diseases directly related to alcohol use). It is not possible to identify from death certificates which substance was the primary cause when more than one was involved.
	Figures for alcohol-related deaths to usual residents of Stroud and Gloucestershire registered in the years 2000 to 2004 are given in the table below. ONS compiles a special database to analyse mortality from drug-related poisoning adding more detail than is available on routine annual extracts. This database is compiled using the annual occurrences extract of mortality data. Figures showing deaths related to drug poisoning involving controlled drugs occurring in the years 1999 to 2003, to usual residents of Stroud and Gloucestershire, are given in the table below. Information on deaths involving illegal drugs is not available, as how the deceased obtained a particular drug is not recorded at death registration.
	It should be noted that the figures on drug-related poisoning are not directly comparable to the figures on alcohol for the following reasons:
	The figures on drugs do not include long-term effects of drug taking, whereas the figures on alcohol include cirrhosis of the liver.
	Deaths from poisoning which involved both drugs and alcohol are coded as due to drug poisoning, in accordance with international rules for coding cause of death.
	The figures on alcohol include only those where the underlying cause was alcohol-related. The figures on specific drugs include any mention of a substance on a death related to drug poisoning.
	
		Number of alcohol-related deaths(8) and deaths from drug-related poisoning(9) involving controlled drugs(10), Stroud and Gloucestershire(11), 1999 to 2004(12)
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 (a) Alcohol-related deaths   
			 (i) Stroud  8 8 10 6 8 
			 (ii) Gloucestershire  51 57 62 44 58 
			 (b) Deaths from drug-related poisoning involving controlled drugs 
			 (i) Stroud (13) (13) (13) (13) 5  
			 (ii) Gloucestershire 8 19 10 10 16  
		
	
	Notes:
	(8)For the year 2000 the cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9). The codes selected to define alcohol-related deaths are listed below:
	291Alcoholic psychoses
	303Alcohol dependence syndrome
	305.0Non-dependent abuse of alcohol
	425.5Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
	571Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
	E860Accidental poisoning by alcohol.
	For the years 20012004 the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) was used. To maintain comparability with earlier years the following codes were selected:
	F10Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol
	142.6Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
	K70Alcoholic liver disease
	K73Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified
	K74Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver
	X45Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol.
	The selection of codes to define alcohol-related deaths is described in: Baker A and Rooney C (2003). Recent trends in alcohol-related mortality, and the impact of ICD-10 on the monitoring of these deaths in England and Wales. Health Statistics Quarterly 17, pp514.
	(9)Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes 292, 304, 305.2305.9, E850-E858, E950.0-E950.5, E962.0 and E980.0-E980.5 for 1999 to 2000, and the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes F11-F16, F18-F19, X40-X44, X60-X64, X85 and Y10-Y14 from 2001 onwards.
	(10)Drugs mentioned on the death certificate of a death where the underlying cause was drug poisoning.
	(11)Deaths of usual residents of:
	(i) Stroud local authority
	(ii) County of Gloucestershire.
	(12)Data are for deaths registered in each calendar year for alcohol-related deaths and for deaths occurring in each calendar year for deaths related to drug poisoning.
	(13)Fewer than 5 deaths.

Antisocial Behaviour Statistics

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what data the Office for National Statistics (a) collects and (b) publishes on the antisocial behaviour of (i) children and (ii) adults at a (A) ward and (B) neighbourhood level.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Mark Hoban, dated 30 June 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what data the Office for National Statistics collect and publish on the anti-social behaviour of (a) children and (b) adults at a (i) ward and (ii)neighbourhood level. I am replying in his absence. (8371)
	Data on the number of anti-social behaviour orders are collated each quarter by the Home Office and are published on the crime reduction website for Criminal Justice System areas (www.crimereduction.gov.uk/asbos2.htm).
	Unpublished data on the number of anti-social behaviour orders issued by local authority area, according to the restrictions imposed on individuals, are held by the Home Office. Statistics on the number of anti-social behaviour order incidents are not collected centrally.

Aviation Fuel Taxation

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek international agreement to a tax on aviation fuel, with the revenue hypothecated to the alleviation of global poverty.

Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to what the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in the House on 30 June 2005, Official Report, columns 142829.

Breach of Confidence

Lorely Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons sued the Registrar General in the English courts for breach of confidence for releasing personal information from the closed 1901 decennial census for England and Wales between 1997 and 2001.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Lorely Burt, dated 4 July 2005
	As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many persons sued the Registrar General in the English courts for breach of confidence for releasing personal information from the closed 1901 decennial census for England and Wales between 1997 and 2001. (9030)
	There have been no instances of court action against me as Registrar General for breach of confidence for releasing personal information from the 1901 decennial census for England and Wales between 1997 and 2001.

Carers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many carers were recorded by the 2001 Census, broken down by (a) under 18 years, (b) 18 to 64 years, (c) 65 to 74 years, (d) 75 years and over and (e) age not known in each London borough.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 30 June 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the number of carers recorded by the 2001 Census, broken down by (a) under 18 years, (b) 18 to 64 years, (c) 65 to 74 years, (d) 75 years and over and (e) age not known in each London borough. (8429).
	Specially commissioned table C0520 has been run to identify the number of people aged under 18 years and (b) 18 to 64 years, (c)65 to 74 years, (d) 75 years and over who are providing unpaidcare in each London Borough. This has been placed in the House of Commons Library and can also be accessed on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/opl5.asp
	There are no statistics on 'age not known'. Where date of birth is missing on the Census form age is imputed based on other characteristics of the individual and relationships within the household.

Child Benefit

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules apply to claimants for child benefit for a child born in the UK who had entered the UK under the family reunion scheme on the agreement that they would impose no claims on the state.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 21 June 2005, Official Report, column 927W. Under the Home Office's asylum family reunion scheme, in which the spouse and minor children are admitted to the UK to be reunited with a person granted refugee status, the spouse and children are also granted such status and indefinite leave to remain. In such cases, they are not subject to immigration control and either spouse is entitled to claim child benefit.
	Where a person has limited leave to remain in the UK and is subsequently joined by a spouse on similar limited leave, then both persons are subject to immigration control and, in general, there is no entitlement to child benefit.
	If a UK national is joined by a foreign spouse who has limited leave to remain in the UK, child benefit legislation allows either person to claim child benefit. In this case, the foreign spouse would be entitled to claim child benefit as a member of the family of a national of a member state of the European economic area (EEA).
	If the hon. Gentleman wishes to write to me with details of any particular cases, I should be pleased to respond more fully.

Child Benefit

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what circumstances it is permissible for child benefit to be paid to a UK national father of a child who is a UK citizen whose mother is subject to immigration regulations that prevent her from drawing on public funds.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 21 June 2005, Official Report column 927W. If a UK national is joined by a foreign spouse who has limited leave to remain in the UK and is thus subject to immigration control, child benefit legislation nevertheless allows either person to claim child benefit. In this case, the foreign spouse would be entitled to claim child benefit as a member of the family of a national of a member state of the European economic area (EEA).
	If the hon. Gentleman wishes to write to me with details of any particular cases, I should be pleased to respond more fully.

Child Tax Credit

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to delay the proposed transfer from Jobcentre Plus to HM Revenue and Customs of administration of child tax credit; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The administration of the child tax credit has been the responsibility of HM Revenue and Customs (and before that the Inland Revenue) since the credit was first introduced in April 2003.

Child Trust Fund

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rate of take-up of the Child Trust Funds is in Northern Ireland.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is only available at disproportionate cost. UK-wide information is available and I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 28687W.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the letters to him dated 18 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to the religious lobby on world poverty.

Ivan Lewis: I did so on 6 June.

Departmental Reports

Alan Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the guidance provided by HM Treasury to departments on what they should disclose in their spring 2005 departmental reports.

Des Browne: A copy of the guidance issued for the spring 2005 departmental reports has been placed in the Library.

Double Taxation Agreements

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with how many countries the UK has a double taxation agreement or treaty.

Dawn Primarolo: The UK has comprehensive double taxation agreements with 109 countries or territories.

Drug Deaths (Lincolnshire)

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many fatalities attributed to drug use in Lincolnshire there have been in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Mark Simmonds, dated 4 July 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many fatalities attributed to drug use in Lincolnshire there have been in each year since 1997. (9246)
	Figures are readily available from death certification on deaths due to drug poisoning, not the total number that were attributable to drug use. The most recent year for which figures are available is 2003. Numbers of deaths certified as due to drug poisoning for Lincolnshire in the seven years 1997 to 2003 are given in the table below.
	Figures are not readily available where death was indirectly related to the use of drugs as the direct cause is generally selected as the underlying cause of death (e.g. HIV infection).
	
		Deaths related to drug poisoning,(14)Lincolnshire,(15) 19972003(16)
		
			  Number of deaths 
		
		
			 1997 16 
			 1998 37 
			 1999 20 
			 2000 26 
			 2001 25 
			 2002 30 
			 2003 27 
		
	
	(14)Defined using the following codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision for 20012003: F11-F16, F18-F19, X40-X44, X60-X64, Y10-Y14, X85 and the following codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision for 19972000: 292, 304, 305,2305.9, E850-E858, E950.0-E950.5, E962.0 and E980.0-E980.5
	(15)Usual residents of Lincolnshire.
	(16)Data are for deaths occurring in each calendar year
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics.

Drug Smuggling

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to stop drugs being imported into the UK; and how much the Government has invested in drugs detection technology in (a) ports and (b) airports since 1998.

Dawn Primarolo: The updated drug strategy 2002 sets out HMG's approach to tackling drugs in the UK. Responsibility for driving forward the supply side activity rests with those law enforcement agencies and other bodies engaged in tackling drug supply, working together as the concerted inter-agency drug action group (CIDA).
	CIDA agencies recently agreed a new delivery strategy, which aims to improve our performance and to achieve a sustained impact on the availability of class A drugs in our communities, thereby reducing the harm that drugs cause. It broadly covers four areas:
	Harm reduction in UK communities: Measuring the impact of supply side activity in terms of the outcomes in UK communities.
	Intelligence process: Adopting an intelligence led process to target activity more effectively.
	Zonal linkages: Prioritising efforts across and within geographical zones of action, trying to maximise our impact.
	Street level up: Testing a new approach of tracing the supply chain back from street level problems (called street level up), and then hitting it in a co-ordinated way.
	As for drug detection technology, until recently expenditure on proven drug detection technologies had been limited by their capability and value for money. However, technology research in port and airport security dramatically increased post 9/11, and in the last 18 months we established that systems primarily built for this purpose were readily adaptable for identifying drug concealments. Working in partnership with manufacturers we have established a project aimed at purchasing new systems and providing testing opportunities, at border controls to inform further development and enhance workable solutions.
	Post 1998 and prior to the project we spent in the region of 10 million on technology and scientific aids to provide additional tools for front line officers in the fight against drugs smuggling. In these early stages of the new project we have contributed 300,000 to the research and development of two new technologies, including capital for the purchase of a prototype.
	The project has identified a number of new technologies for the short, medium and long-term, which will see further substantial investment in new and more reliable product-specific technology to combat drug importations more successfully.

Emigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many UK subjects have emigrated to live in Commonwealth countries since 2001.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Andrew Rosindell, dated 30 June 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your question regarding estimates for the number of UK subjects who have emigrated to live in Commonwealth countries since 2001. Iam replying in his absence. (8536)
	The table below shows annual estimates for the number of British citizens migrating to Commonwealth countries between 2001 and 2003. The definition of a migrant used in the calculation of these estimates is a person who changes their country of usual residence for a period of at least a year. Therefore, some of the people estimated to have migrated to the Commonwealth over this period may have subsequently returned to the UK.
	
		International migration: estimates from the International Passenger Survey, 2001 to 2003 British citizens migrating to the Commonwealth -- United Kingdom (thousand)
		
			 Citizenship Country of next residence Year Outflow(17)(emigration out of the UK) 
		
		
			 British Commonwealth countries 2001 53.5 
			   2002 53.7 
			   2003 63.4 
		
	
	(17)Estimates for 200103 are based on data from the International Passenger Survey only. They do not include adjustments for those whose intended length of stay changes so that their migrant status changes.
	Note:
	International Passenger Survey estimates are subject to sampling and non-sampling error since they are derived from a sample survey. One standard error for each outflow shown above is equal to 8 per cent.
	The annual reference volume Series MN, International Migration includes a table (Table 3.1) showing migration estimates by country of last or next residence for British citizens (and other groups of citizens). The most recent annual reference volume is Series MN No. 30, International Migration, 2003. This publication, and earlier editions, can be accessed at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Product.asp?vlnk=507.

European Union

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the unfunded pensions liabilities of the European Union institutions are; what Council Decision forms the legal base for supporting the accounting entry for pension liability; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: There are no unfunded pension liabilities of the European Community Institutions. Like almost all member states, the European Union has a funded pension scheme for its civil servants. The pension scheme for civil servants of European Community Institutions is funded partly by the officials themselves, who contribute to one third of the scheme's financing, with the balance funded by member states through the annual European Community Budget. The Staff Regulation (Council Regulation 723/2004 amending the Staff Regulation) governs the funding of the pension scheme for civil servants of European Community Institutions. The Financial Regulation (Council Regulation 1605/2002) requires the Commission to keep accounting records. In the Commission's balance sheet, a provision is entered on the liabilities side in respect of the estimated amount of pension rights (the amount is based on an actuarial study); however this is balanced by an entry on the assets side to reflect the undertaking given by member states to the Communities to pay Community pensions.

Expenditure

Nick Herbert: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of what total managed expenditure between 1999 and 2000 and 200708 would have been had spending been increased by 2.5 per cent. per annum in real terms.

Des Browne: No estimate has been made of what total managed expenditure (TME) would be had spending been increased by 2.5 per cent. per annum in real terms.

Faith Awareness Training

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants in the Department received faith awareness training in 2004.

John Healey: Comprehensive information relating to how many civil servants in the Treasury have received training on faith awareness in 2004 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

G8 Conference

Roger Gale: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who will bear the policing costs of the G8 conference.

Des Browne: Policing is a devolved responsibility of the Scottish Executive and Scottish police authorities. The Government have agreed to contribute 20 million towards the cost.

Great Britain National Insurance Fund

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the administrative costs were of the National Insurance Fund in each of the last three years; what the value of the Fund is; what estimate he has made of the (a) surplus in the Fund and (b) value of National Insurance contributions in (i) 2005, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2020, (iv) 2030, (v) 2040 and (vi) 2060; and what advice he has received from the Government Actuary on the desirable level of the surplus.

Dawn Primarolo: Information on the administrative costs to the Great Britain National Insurance Fund for the last three years are in the following table:
	
		000
		
			  Admin Costs 
		
		
			 200203 1,241,496 
			 200304 1,754,093 
			 200405 1,480,033 
		
	
	The value of the fund as at 31 March 2004 stood at 27,081,605,770.
	I refer the hon. Member to Table 15.7 on page 129 of the Government Actuary's Quinquennial Review of the National Insurance Fund (published in 2003) for the estimate of (a) the surplus in the Fund and (b) value of NICs in (i) 2005, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2020, (iv) 2030, (v) 2040 and (vi) 2060. In this context, surplus is defined as the excess of income over expenditure. The Government Actuary has not given any advice on the desirable level of surplus in the NIF in any particular year.

HIPCs

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether the suspension of debt servicing agreed by the G7 for the 18 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) who have reached their HIPC Initiative Completion Points (a) has been implemented and (b) is subject to ratification by international financial institutions;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the total value of the G7 debt relief initiative in 2005 for the 18 countries qualifying;
	(3)  if he will make it his policy that funds from G8 aid budgets should not be used as part of debt relief arrangements;
	(4)  what criteria will be used to determine levels of good governance allowing the implementation of debt relief in developing countries;
	(5)  what further progress he expects to be made on aid and debt relief for developing countries at the G8 Gleneagles summit;
	(6)  if he will reduce the level of conditionality within the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative.

Ivan Lewis: Substantial progress has been made on both aid and debt relief in recent months. The EU has made an historic commitment to double its aid from current levels of around US$40 billion to over $80billion in 2010 and on debt G8 Finance Ministers have agreed debt relief worth up to $55 billion. The total debt service (principal and interest) of the 18 HIPCs due to the IMF, World Bank and African Development Bank in 2005 is $560 million.
	Finance Ministers agreed that the G8 debt relief proposal should be put forward for agreement at the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in September. Once it is agreed it will be implemented as soon as possible.
	The UK believes that debt relief should be funded through additional resources. In this way, it is an important source of additional funds for countries to spend on poverty reduction and the investments in health, education, water and infrastructure that are essential if the MDGs are to be met. We continue to lobby others to support this view.
	Our share of the G8 debt agreement will be funded through the additional resources allocated to DFID in the recent Spending Review: by 200708, total UK aid will rise to nearly 6.5 billion a year, representing 0.47 per cent. of GNI, a real terms increase of 140 per cent. since 1997. Part of the increase in DFID's budget was earmarked for the provision of further debt relief, and it is these earmarked funds that will be used. Our multilateral debt assistance will be in addition to generous UK contributions to the IDA 14 and AfDF X replenishments.
	It is essential that the resources freed up by debt relief are used to support poverty reduction. For this reason, the G8 debt agreement provides debt relief only to those countries that have demonstrated their commitment to reducing poverty through implementing a successful Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). PRSPs include strategies for investment in health, education and water and sanitation to help countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals. The countries that qualify for the G8 debt agreement have reached completion point of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative have demonstrated their commitment to poverty reduction and sound financial management.
	In order to reach completion point, a country must maintain macroeconomic stability under a PRGF-supported program, carry out key structural and social reforms, and implement a PRSP for one year upon which Bank and Fund staff prepare recommendations to their respective boards for consideration. The final determination is made by the boards of the two institutions.
	The World Bank and IMF are both undertaking reviews of their approach to conditionality this year. In the context of these reviews, the UK will work to ensure that these institutions only support programmes which are agreed rather than imposed, and where benchmarks to assess progress are focussed on the impact of a country's overall policy programme rather than any particular policy decision.

Hospital Infections

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths have been recorded where (a) Clostridium difficile associated disease, (b) MRSA, (c) vancomycin resistant enterococci, (d) multi-resistant acinetobacter spp and (e) penicillin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae was mentioned on the death certificate in each year since 2001; and in how many cases it was also the underlying cause of death.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has asked him to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 30 June 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths have been recorded where (a)clostridium difficile associated disease, (b) MRSA, (c)vancomycin resistant enterococci, (d) multi-resistant acinetobacter and (e)penicillin resistant streptococcus pneumoniae was mentioned on the death certificate in each year since 2001; and in how many cases it was also the underlying cause of death. I am replying in his absence. (8229)
	In the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), deaths involving enterocolitis due to Clostridium difficile can all be identified from the code A04.7. Enterocolitis is the commonest illness caused by C. difficile infection. For causes other than enterocolitis that are also known to be associated with C. difficile, it is not possible to identify from ICD codes alone the number of deaths where C. difficile actually contributed to the death. For this reason, the only routinely available mortality statistics on C. difficile are those where it was associated with enterocolitis. These figures were provided in answer to a question from Mr David Lidington MP, Hansard Written Answer 3764, page 49W.
	Figures for MRSA were published in an annual report in Health Statistics Quarterly on 24 February 2005. 1 Figures for vancomycin resistant enterococci and multi-resistant acinetobacter spp are not available from routine death certification data. These are laboratory classifications of microorganisms, details of which are rarely used in describing the illnesses from which patients suffer or die.
	Figures on the number of deaths involving Streptococcus pneumoniae are given in the attached table for the years 2001 to 2003.
	1 Office for National Statistics (2005) Report: Deaths involving MRSA: England and Wales, 19992003. Health Statistics Quarterly 25, 6065.
	
		Numbers of deaths where Streptococcus pneumoniae was mentioned on the death certificate and the number where it was specified as penicillin resistant and the number of these mentions where it was also the underlying cause of death,(18) England and Wales, 200103(19)
		
			  Total mentions Total mentionsspecified as penicillin resistant Underlying cause Underlying causespecified as penicillin resistant 
		
		
			 2001 240 0 164 0 
			 2002 245 0 187 0 
			 2003 269 0 190 0 
		
	
	(18)Selected using the codes J13, G00.l and A40.3 and a text search within codes A49.1 and H66 from the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10)
	(19)Figures are for deaths occurring in the years 2001 to 2003.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Illegal Firearms

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to stop the smuggling of illegal firearms into the UK.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are responsible for enforcement of controls in respect of smuggling of illegal firearms into the UK.
	To detect and prevent the smuggling of firearms HMRC deploy resources according to risk, through intelligence-led and targeted activity with teams, including national and regional strike forces, that work flexibly to match any changing threat and whose training includes recognition of firearms and their component parts. HMRC target all types of traffic arriving at UK ports and airports both from other EU member states and from non-EU countries.
	HMRC work closely with NCIS and police forces to share information and to improve the intelligence available on firearms smuggling. They have agreed operational arrangements to follow-up detections of smuggled firearms, parts and ammunition.
	In all cases where such goods are detected HMRC will seize them, share the information with NCIS and police and agree with police the arrangements for any follow up investigation. HMRC will normally seek to prosecute in any case involving a deliberate attempt to smuggle a firearm into the UK.
	As part of the Government's commitment to reduce gun crime, the Criminal Justice Act 2003 included a provision to increase the maximum term of imprisonment for smuggling prohibited weapons (other than stun guns and self defence sprays) from seven years to 10.

Insurance Premium Tax Fraud

Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what representations he has received from Customs and Excise in the last 10 years regarding cases of alleged fraud by insurance companies using the Insurance Premium Tax;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the Financial Services Authority on investigations into possible causes of fraud by insurance companies using the Insurance Premium Tax.

Ivan Lewis: The Treasury has received no such representations and has had no such discussions.

Jersey

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with the Government of Jersey on the introduction of a zero-ten tax rate; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The proposed introduction of a zero-ten rate in Jersey is a result of a program of modernisation of the Jersey tax system designed to be in compliance with international standards, including those set up by the OECD and by the EU Code of Conduct for business taxation.
	The States of Jersey have kept HM Government informed of developments in relation to the reform of its tax system.

Lisbon Score Card

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the relative performance of the UK by comparison with other EU member states in respect of the Lisbon score card measures of (a) innovation, (b) liberalisation, (c) enterprise, (d) employment and social inclusion and (e) sustainable development.

John Healey: There are over 100 Lisbon structural indicators in the full set of economic, social and environmental categories. A full set of structural indicators can be found on the Eurostat Structural Indicators website: (http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/portal/page?_pageid=1133,1400891,1133_1402816 dad_ portal_schema=PORTAL ). A selection of the higher-level indicators relevant to the areas requested are set out in the table.
	
		Table of relative UK performance
		
			  UK EU 
		
		
			 (a) Innovation   
			 Gross domestic expenditure on R and D (GERD)as a percentage of GDP (20) 1.87 1.93 
			 Broadband penetration ratenumber of broadband lines subscribed in percentage of the population 7.4 6.5 
			
			 (b) Liberalisation   
			 Price of telecommunicationsnational callsprice level and evolution in the telecommunications market (in Euro per 10 min call) 0.44 0.9 
			 Electricity priceshouseholdsprice level and evolution in the electricity market (in Euro per kWh) 0.08 0.10 
			
			 (c) Enterprise   
			 Venture capital investmentsearly stageas a percentage of GDP(21) 0.039 (22)0.02 
			 Total state aidas a percentage of GDP(20) 0.26 (22)0.57 
			
			 (d) Employment and social inclusion   
			 Total employment rateemployed persons aged 15 to 64 as a percentage share of the total population of the same age group 71.6 63.3 
			 Life-long learningpercentage of the adult population aged 25 to 64 participating in education and training (in the four weeks preceding the survey) 21.3 9.9 
			 At-risk-of-poverty rate after social transfersthe percentage share of persons with an equivalised disposable income below the risk-of-poverty threshold (23) 19 15 
			
			 (e) Sustainable development   
			 Total greenhouse gas emissionspercentage change since base year and targets according to Kyoto Protocol/EU Council Decision for 2008201 2 (in CO(21) equivalents) indexed on actual base year=100(21) 85 91.1 
		
	
	(20)Data for 2002.
	(21)Data for 2003.
	(22)Data for EU 15.
	(23)Date for 2001.
	Data for Note:
	Where possible, except where indicated otherwise, data for 2004 and the EU as comprised of 25 member states have been used.

Mortgage Mis-selling

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the mis-selling of shared appreciation mortgages; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Treasury Ministers have received written representations on shared appreciation mortgages from a number of individuals and from the Shared Appreciation Mortgage Action Group.
	The Government understand the concerns of people who purchased shared appreciation mortgages in the mid-1990s. However, to date no evidence of mis-selling has been found by the Financial Ombudsman Service.

National Insurance (Offshore Facilities/Registration)

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the effect is on (a) UK nationals and (b) non-UK nationals access to benefits conditional on payment of national insurance contributions of their employer's decision to register offshore.

Dawn Primarolo: The UK social security system does not distinguish between UK and non UK-nationals working in the UK. In general, having an employer thatis a company registered outside the UK will make little practical difference to an employee's access to contributory benefits. If the employee works in the UK and meets the conditions as to residence or presence in the UK he or she will still have to pay NICs and therefore will qualify for benefits.

National Insurance (Offshore Facilities/Registration)

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the (a) Scottish Executive and (b) the management of Caledonian MacBrayne on offshore crewing; what assessment he has made of the effect of offshore crewing on (i) national insurance revenues paid by Caledonian MacBrayne and (ii) rights and entitlements for crew arising from changes in their national insurance contributions; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The Chancellor has had no discussions with the Scottish Executive or the management of Caledonian MacBrayne on these matters or made an assessment of the impact on national insurance revenues paid by Caledonian MacBrayne offshore crewing. Crew members will be liable for the employee's share of the NICs and will be able to have them taken into account in the normal way in claims for contributory benefits.

National Insurance (Offshore Facilities/Registration)

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2005, Official Report, columns 39192W, on offshore facilities, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive about the consequences for the (a) proposed competitive tendering process for the West Highland and Hebridean ferry services and (b) off shoring for tax purposes of Caledonian Macbrayne crew of the position outlined.

John Healey: holding answer 28 June 2005
	The Chancellor has had no discussions with the Scottish Executive on these matters. The competitive tendering process for the West Highland and Hebridean ferry services is a devolved matter for the Scottish Executive. It is a matter for Caledonian Macbrayne to decide whether to introduce offshore crewing arrangements.

National Minimum Wage

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exempt all individuals on minimum wage from income tax and national insurance contributions.

Ivan Lewis: The personal allowance for income tax and the primary threshold for national insurance contributions would have to be raised to over 9,000 to exempt all individuals earning the national minimum wage and working a full working week of 35 hours.
	This would cost tens of billions of pounds and would provide the greatest benefit to higher rate taxpayers, for whom any increase would be worth four times as much to them as starting rate taxpayers. It would also remove millions of individuals from building up entitlement from benefits such as the basic state pension.
	The Government prefer to use measures that provide benefits to those that need it most.
	Unlike the personal allowance tax credits can reduce a family's net tax bill below zero through payments and can provide support tailored to the family's circumstances, such as the number of children in a family.
	Together with child benefit the system of tax credits offsets income tax liabilities so that the effective point at which a family with two children starts paying tax on net is now 21,200 and from April 2007 will be over 22,000.

Oil Revenues

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the (a) actual and (b) forecast oil revenues are for the 200506 financial year to date.

Dawn Primarolo: Monthly receipts to May 2005 of petroleum revenue tax (PRT) can be found on the HM Revenue and Customs website at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_receipts/table13.pdf. Receipts of corporation tax (CT) from north sea companies are not separately disclosed.
	Budget 2005 forecasts of PRT and CT receipts for 200506 from UK north sea oil and gas producers can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/table1111.pdf

Personal Finances (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average (a) unsecured debt per person and (b) annual income in London has been in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Sarah Teather, dated 4 July 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question about average unsecured debt per person and annual income in London since 1997. (8199)
	Figures for average incomes per person for London are shown in Table A. These were published on 29 April 2005. Gross disposable household income (GDHI) is the amount of money that households have available for consumption expenditure or saving. Total household incomes represent the total amount of money households receive before any deductions. Regional GDHI data are available on the national statistics website http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=7359
	Regional figures for unsecured debt are not available. Average unsecured debt per person figures for the United Kingdom, are shown in Table B. These were published on 30 June 2005 in Blue Book 2005 on the national statistics website http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=l143.
	The statistics used are national accounts series for the combined household and non-profit institutions serving households sectors. Estimates for household alone are not available.
	
		Table A(24)
		
			  Average incomes per capita(25), London 
			  Gross disposable household income (GDHI)(26)()  Total incomes(27)() 
		
		
			 1997 11,660 18,040 
			 1998 12,060 19,450 
			 1999 12,730 20,570 
			 2000 13,600 22,170 
			 2001 14,480 23,210 
			 2002 14,750 23,650 
			 2003 15,240 24,510 
		
	
	(24)Data are rounded.
	(25)Based on the total population.
	(26)GDHI estimates are a moving average based trend of the unadjusted estimates for each region. The trending removes some of the year to year volatility of the unadjusted series.
	(27)All household income including employers' social contributions, imputed social contributions, social benefits and other current transfers received.
	
		Table B(28) -- UK ()
		
			  Annual income per person(29) Unsecured debt per person(29) 
		
		
			 1997 12,340 3,440 
			 1998 12,730 3,690 
			 1999 13,300 3,970 
			 2000 14,010 4,310 
			 2001 14,830 4,730 
			 2002 15,200 5,410 
			 2003 15,840 5,820 
			 2004 16,250 6,730 
		
	
	(28)Data are rounded.
	(29)Based on the population aged 16+.

PRODCOM Forms

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost to a small business of management time in completing and returning PRODCOM forms.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Weir, dated 4 July 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the cost to a small business of management time in completing and returning PRODCOM forms (9585).
	I am keen to ensure that our inquiries minimise the load on those from whom we seek information. Our estimates are that the annual PRODCOM form costs the average small (less than 20 employees) business around 65 to complete. Some industries have been covered quarterly rather than annually and these quarterly forms have cost the average business around 39 to fill in. However, the quarterly inquiries have recently, following consultation, been dropped so businesses in the industries affected will in futureif they are selectedreceive only one form a year rather than four.
	We ask around one in 16 small businesses to complete a PRODCOM form each year.

PRODCOM Forms

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many small businesses have been required to complete PRODCOM returns in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Hands, dated 4 July 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many small businesses have been required to complete PRODCOM returns in each of the last five years. (9586)
	For most industries PRODCOM is an annual inquiry. For some however it has been quarterly. The number of small (less than 20 employee) businesses selected for each of the last five years has been:
	
		
			  Numbers selected 
			 Year to which the inquiry related For the annual inquiry For the quarterly inquiries 
		
		
			 2000 6,974 1,032 
			 2001 6,984 1,023 
			 2002 6,930 1,019 
			 2003 6,970 1,013 
			 2004 6,964 1,009 
		
	
	The total number of small businesses in these sectors is around 131,000.
	From the beginning of this year the quarterly PRODCOM inquiries have ceased. These industries are now, like the others, being covered annually. Therefore, selected firms in these industries that would previously have received four forms in the year, will in future only get one.

PRODCOM Forms

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the (a) maximum, (b) minimum and (c) average fine imposed on small businesses in (i)Scotland, (ii) Wales and (iii) England for failure to return PRODCOM forms was in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how much in fines was levied on businesses in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England in each of thelast five years for failure to complete and return PRODCOM forms;
	(3)  how many (a) companies and (b) individuals have been fined for failure to return and complete PRODCOM returns in each of the last five years in (i)Scotland, (ii) Wales and (iii) England;
	(4)  how many companies have been prosecuted for failure to return PRODCOM returns in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Mike Weir, dated 4 July 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions concerning the prosecution of businesses for failures to return their PRODCOM forms, and the fines they have received (9583, 9584, 9587 and 9588).
	Prosecution of recalcitrant responders is very much a last resort: we would much prefer to proceed with the cooperation of those we ask to fill in forms, and for the vast part we succeed in that. However, 5 businesses have been prosecuted and fined in the last five years for failure to return their PRODCOM forms (one in the year 2000; two in 2001; and two in 2004). One of those businesses had an address in Scotland; the others all had addresses in England. One was a business with fewer than 20 employees.
	The fines varied from 75 to 1000. The total for the five cases was 1925.

Revenue and Customs (Haverfordwest)

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what plans he has to change the status of the HM Revenue and Customs office in Haverfordwest; and if he will make a statement on what changes he expects to make to the numbers of jobs in the office;
	(2)  what plans he has to reorganise local offices following the merger of HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue; and if he will make a statement on the expected change in numbers employed;
	(3)  what the net change in the numbers of jobs in HM Revenue and Customs in Wales will be following reorganisation of local offices.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave on 28 June 2005, Official Report, column 1428W, to the hon. Member for Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr (Adam Price).

Tax Credits

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of overpayment of tax credits are being investigated by tax credit offices; how many cases of overpayment have been resolved since the present tax credits were introduced; and how many cases of overpayment are awaiting action.

Dawn Primarolo: At 31 May 2005, HM Revenue and Customs had received around 271,000 requests to reconsider recovery of an overpayment of tax credits on the grounds of official error. Of these, 151,000 had been decided upon and the balance were awaiting a decision.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated take-up rate is for (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit; and how many families he estimates are entitled but not claiming.

Dawn Primarolo: On average for 200304 5.5 million families benefited from child tax credit and working tax credit and initial analysis suggests that in its first year, child tax credit achieved an estimated take-up rate of 80 per cent. by caseload. Further work to produce final take-up rate estimates for child tax credit and working tax credit for 200304 is continuing and we expect this analysis to be completed towards the end of 200506.

Tax Credits

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of tax credit overpayment was in the 200304 financial year in Peterborough constituency.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of tax credit awards for 200304 underpaid and overpaid after finalisation are available for each region, parliamentary constituency and local authority in the publication Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics. Finalised Awards 200304. Supplement on Payments in 200304. Geographical Analyses. This is available on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm.

Tax Credits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been paid in tax credits since 2003, broken down by (a) London borough and (b) local authority in Essex.

Dawn Primarolo: Information on payments of working and child tax credits is not available below national level.
	Data about tax credits awards by reference to geographical areas such as Parliamentary constituencies and local authorities can be found at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats. htm.

Tax Credits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to stop overpayments of tax credits; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made to the House on 26 May 2005, Official Report, column 802, on tax credits.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many compensation payments have been made by HM Revenue and Customs for tax credit problems in (a) 200203, (b) 200304, (c) 200405 and (d) 200506 to date; what the total value is of such payments for each year; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: For 200203 and 200304, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 7 February 2005, Official Report, columns 124445W.
	Around 20,000 compensation payments to tax credits claimants were made in 200405 with a value of around 1.24 million. In the two months ending 31 May 2005, around 1,600 such payments had been made with a value of around 187,000.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the total cost of administering tax credits in (a) 200304, (b) 200405 and (c) 200506; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The cost of managing and paying the child and working tax credits in the financial year 200304 appears in note 3 to the Trust Statement in the Inland Revenue Annual Report and Accounts for that year. Figures for 200405 and 200506 will not be available until the Trust Statements for these years are released.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the number of tax credit (a) overpayments and (b) underpayments in 200405; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of numbers and values of overpayments or underpayments for 200405 awards at 5 April 2005 will not be available until after family circumstances and incomes for 200405 have been finalised. The most recent estimates available for the number of overpaid awards and the value of these overpayments is for awards at 5 April 2004 based on final family circumstances and incomes for 200304. They appear in the HMRC publication Child and Working Tax Credits Annual statistics. 200304 Payments. The estimates are based on samples and are subject to significant sampling uncertainty.
	This publication can be found on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-quarterly-stats.htm

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the total amount of tax credits overpaid in 200304 has so far been recovered; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: No estimates can be made until the departmental accounts for 200405 have been prepared and the Trust Statement published.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit payments have been made to the wrong bank account; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit awards were made in (a) 200304 and (b) 200405 to households with incomes of (i)40,000 per annum and (ii) 50,000 per annum; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of awards made to families in 200304 whose finalised income in that year was (i) 40,000 to 50,000 and (ii) over 50,000 is contained in the publication Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised awards 200304. Supplement on payments in 200304. This is available on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm.
	Figures for 200405 are not yet available.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit overpayments were not clawed back in 200304 due to the operation of the 2,500 disregard; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: It is not possible reliably to estimate the number of extra families who would have had an overpayment if the disregard had not applied.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the average waiting time to get through on the public tax credit helpline for each month since January 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The following table shows average waiting times for those calls that were answered by tax credits helpline advisers in 200304, 200405 and the current tax year.
	
		
			 Year/month Average waiting time (min:sec) 
		
		
			 200304  
			 April 6:25 
			 May 3:33 
			 June 2:53 
			 July 1:26 
			 August 0:45 
			 September 0:42 
			 October 0:23 
			 November 0:38 
			 December 0:30 
			 January 0:26 
			 February 0:18 
			 March 0:17 
			   
			 200405  
			 April 0:24 
			 May 0:24 
			 June 0:26 
			 July 0:29 
			 August 0:20 
			 September 0:40 
			 October 0:24 
			 November 0:24 
			 December 0:33 
			 January 0:49 
			 February 0:42 
			 March 0:37 
			   
			 200506  
			 April 1:12 
			 May 1:06 
			 To 25 June 0:56

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date the redesigned tax credit award notices will be available for (a) publication and (b) consultation; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC has consulted representative groups and worked closely with them to improve the award notice, and the revised award notice has been warmly welcomed by them. The revised award notices will be issued to claimants from April 2006.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the number of tax credit overpayments in 200304 that were caused by HM Revenue and Customs error; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: There were well-publicised IT system problems in the early part of 200304. One particular software problem led to some incorrect payments being made to some claimants as detailed in the Report of the Comptroller  Auditor General for 200304. This is available on the HMRC website at: http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/pdfs/report2004.pdf.
	Overpayments can arise for a number of reasons or from a combination of factors, of which HMRC error may be just one, e.g. when a claimant's entitlement varies following a change in their circumstances. No reliable estimate of the amount of overpayments resulting solely from HMRC error for 200304 is available.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many overpayments of tax credits during 200304 were recovered before the end of the financial year.

Dawn Primarolo: Overpayments of tax credits are not identified until family circumstances and income are finalised after the end of the financial year. However, tax credit awards can be adjusted during the year to take account of a change in circumstances or income. Where the amount payable is reduced, payments are adjusted with the aim of paying out the right amount for the year as a whole. This is explained in HMRC's Code of Practice 26 What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit?, available on our website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/cop26.htm.This is part of the normal operation of the tax credit system, and no count of such occurrences is maintained.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress in resolving computer problems relating to tax credit payments.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the written statement I made on 26 May 2005, Official Report, column 22WS in particular the fourth of the six measures I have agreed with the Chairman of HMRC.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the total cost of the 2,500 disregard for increases in annual income for tax credit entitlement for 200304; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The final entitlement to tax credits in 200304 would have been about 800 million lower without the 2,500 disregard. This estimate takes no account of behavioural differences.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters have been received by (a) his Department and (b) the Inland Revenue from hon. Members on tax credits for each month since January 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 10 February 2005, Official Report, column 1685W, and to the reply I gave on 21 February 2005, Official Report, columns 75W-76W to the hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb).
	Details for the further period 1 January 2005 to 31 May 2005 are given as follows:
	
		
			  Month Number of letters from hon. Members to TCO 
		
		
			 January 2005 798 
			 February 2005 906 
			 March 2005 1,218 
			 April 2005 763 
			 May 2005 607 
		
	
	In addition to the letters received by the Tax Credit Office, Treasury Ministers and Inland Revenue Board members received around 950 letters from hon. Members in the same period, 1 January 2005 to 31 May 2005.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of tax credit payments have had an error of some kind, in each year from 200304 to 200506; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 7 February 2005, Official Report, column 1245W.
	The Department will report against its targets for 200506 in due course.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit award notices were sent out in total in (a) 200304, (b) 200405 and (c) 200506 to date; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: There are more than 6 million families benefiting from tax credits at present. Each adult included in a tax credit award receives an award notice when the initial claim has been decided, each time a change of circumstance is reported, and another after the end of the year when their claim is renewed.
	The number of tax credit awards notices issued in the tax year 200304 was about 20.5 million.
	In the tax year 200405 the number issued was about 34 million. The increase in the number issued reflects additional award notices issued when awards for 200304 were finalised.
	In the tax year 200506 to date almost 11 million have been issued.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit have been more expensive to administer than the working families tax credit; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The administrative costs of managing and paying child and working tax credits in 200304, expressed as percentages of total payments, were very similar to the working and disabled person's tax credits regime.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his estimate is of the average time taken to respond to a letter of complaint from a member of the public regarding tax credits in each month from January 2003 to June 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available. HMRC aim to deal with 80 per cent. of correspondence within 15 working days and 95 per cent. of correspondence within 40 working days.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the statement of 22 June 2005 by the Paymaster General, Official Report, columns 80114, on tax credits, if he will change the payments page of an award notice to draw tax credit recipients' attention to the availability of additional tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC are looking at options for improving the information they give claimants about overpayments. This includes highlighting on the award notice the availability of the extra help customers can get if their payments have decreased.
	Where there is an overpayment, the award notice sent to claimants shows the amount and how it will be recovered. The accompanying notes tell claimants that HMRC's approach to overpayments is outlined in their Code of Practice 26 (CoP26). CoP26 is published on the HMRC website. They send a copy to claimants who write to them about their overpayment. Claimants who want to dispute recovery of their overpayment do not have to complete form TC846 but HMRC will send them one if they have not already provided the information needed to consider the position.

Tax Credits

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has updated his forecast for the price of a barrel of oil as set out in his Budget report.

John Healey: The oil price assumption will be updated in the pre-Budget report later this year.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1) how many instances of recovery of overpayments or excess payments have been disputed by tax credit recipients in each of the last two years;
	(2)  how many TC846 forms have been received in each of the last two years.

Dawn Primarolo: In 200405, around 217,000 claimants had returned form TC846, or had otherwise been recorded as requesting the write off of their overpayments on the grounds of official error. In April and May 2005, the Tax Credit Office received around 54, 000 similar requests.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost of administering (a) family credit, (b) working families tax credit and disabled person's tax credit and (c) child tax credit and working tax credit in each of the last eight years in which credits were payable in (i) cash and (ii) real terms.

Dawn Primarolo: The cost of managing and paying the child and working tax credits in the financial year 200304 appears in Note 3 to the Trust Statement in the Inland Revenue Annual Report and Accounts for that year. The costs of managing and paying working families' and disabled person's tax credits are shown in the Inland Revenue Trust Accounts, at Note 3 for 19992000 to 200102 and at Note 4 for 200203. I understand from the Department of Work and Pensions that the estimated annual costs for family credit in Great Britain are given in the annual reports of the former Department of Social Security.
	The costs of managing and paying of family credit, working families tax credit and disabled person's tax credit, and child tax credit and working tax credit in each of the last eight in real terms were as follows:
	
		
			  Costs of managing and paying tax credits ( million) 
			  In nominal terms In real terms (at 200405 prices) Total families benefiting (Thousands) 
		
		
			 199697 (FC) 66.0 80.1 (30)725.6 
			 199798 (FC) 59.0 69.8 (30)766.1 
			 199899 (FC) 72.0 82.8 (30)790.5 
			 19992000 (WFTC and DPTC) 36.1 40.6 (31)834 
			 200001 (WFTC and DPTC) 136.7 152.1 (31)1,195 
			 200102 (WFTC and DPTC) 143.9 156.2 (31)1,326 
			 200203 (WFTC and DPTC) 143.0 150.1 (31)1,414 
			 200304 (WTC and CTC) 403.0 411.0 (32)5,700 
		
	
	(30)Number of awards to all families, as at November of each year.
	(31)All recipients, as at October for DPTC and November for WFTC.
	(32)Average number of families benefiting on each day over the year.
	The comparison over time is affected by the absence of children's tax credit from the costs of managing and paying tax credits for 200102 and 200203 as this was included in the Inland Revenue's routine work and not separately identified in running costs.
	As a proportion of total payments made each year, administration costs have remained stable since 1999, at around 2.5 per cent. to 3 per cent.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value is of tax credit overpayments written off in each month since April 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC wrote off 373,000 overpayments to a value of around 37 million following the identification of a software error that affected some 455,000 households in April and May 2003. This is explained in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General 200304, which can be found in the board's annual report at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pdfs/report2004.pdf
	Overpayments for 200304 were only finally identified after April 2004 when HMRC started finalising awards for that year and the Department began considering disputed overpayments in June 2004.
	The monthly breakdown of overpayments written off each month from June 2004 on the grounds of official error is as follows:
	
		
		
			 Month Amount written off 
		
		
			 2004  
			 June 118,000 
			 July 30,000 
			 August 39,000 
			 September 41,000 
			 October 326,000 
			 November 643,000 
			 December 299,000 
			 2005  
			 January 1,246,000 
			 February 1,102,000 
			 March 1,788,000 
			 April 605,000 
			 May 30,823,000 
			 Total 37,060,000

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the statement of 22 June 2005, Official Report, columns 80114 by the Paymaster General on tax credits, what estimate he has made of the number of cases in which in-year recovery of excess tax credits has occurred for recipients of (a) income support and (b) income-based jobseeker's allowance; what the average value was of the excess recovered; what proportion of these cases were disputed; and in how many of these cases (i) the overpayments were written off and (ii) additional tax credits were awarded.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available.
	Tax credit awards can be adjusted during the year to take account of a change in circumstances or income. Where the amount payable is reduced, payments are adjusted with the aim of paying out the right amount for the year as a whole. This is explained in HMRC's Code of Practice 26 What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit?, which is accessible at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/cop26.htm. This is part of the normal operation of the tax credit system, and no count of such occurrences is maintained.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the statement of 22 June 2005, Official Report, columns 80114 by the Paymaster General, on tax credits, what assessment he has made of the level of awareness among tax credit office staff of the circumstances in which additional tax credits are payable; and what additional (a) training and (b) guidance he plans to give to ensure appropriate use of additional tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC have work in hand to enhance the guidance helpline advisers follow so that it will prompt them to refer to the availability of additional tax credits in situations where they could prevent financial hardship.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the statement of 22 June 2005, Official Report, columns 80114 by the Paymaster General, on tax credits, what timetable has been set to train tax credit staff on the appropriate use of interim payments; and what new guidance is to be produced on issuing interim payments.

Dawn Primarolo: Existing guidance for HMRC staff tells them that, where a customer is not receiving system-generated payments, they may need to set up manual payments. HMRC are reminding advisers to follow this guidance. And they have work in hand to further enhance the guidance so that it will prompt helpline advisers to refer to the availability of additional tax credits in situations where they could prevent financial hardship.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when discussions with EDS on compensation for problems with the tax credit IT system were started; how much compensation has been paid by EDS; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC and EDS have for some time, been engaged in a process of discussions which the Department hoped would lead to a satisfactory out-of-court resolution to the claim against EDS. No such settlement has yet resulted and no compensation has been paid. Negotiations continue which may lead to a financial settlement and, while that is the case, it is not appropriate to disclose confidential and privileged information, the quantum of HMRC's claim or the timetable for negotiations. HMRC is clear that if it is not possible to reach an acceptable negotiated settlement in the near future, it will commence legal proceedings.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit overpayments there were in 200405; and what the value was.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of numbers and values of overpayments or underpayments for 200405 awards at 5 April 2005 will not be available until after family circumstances and incomes for 200405 have been finalised. The most recent estimates available for the number of overpaid awards and the value of these overpayments is for awards at 5 April 2004 based on final family circumstances and incomes for 200304. They appear in the HMRC publication Child and Working Tax Credits Annual statistics. 200304 Payments. The estimates are based on samples and are subject to significant sampling uncertainty. This publication can be found on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-quarterly-stats.htm

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the statement of 22 June 2005, Official Report, columns 80114, by the Paymaster General, on tax credits, if he will change the payments page of an award notice to (a) advise tax credit recipients that recovery of an overpayment can be challenged, (b) draw claimants' attention to the code of practice 26 and (c) draw claimants' attention to form TC846; and if he will change the guidance notes accompanying the award notice to give greater prominence to how the Revenue can help with financial hardship.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC are looking at options for improving the information they give claimants about overpayments. This includes highlighting on the award notice the availability of the extra help claimants can get if their payments have decreased.
	Where there is an overpayment, the award notice sent to claimants shows the amount and how it will be recovered. The accompanying notes tell claimants that HMRC's approach to overpayments is outlined in their code of practice 26 (CoP26). CoP26 is published on the HMRC website. They send a copy to claimants who write to them about their overpayment. Claimants who want to dispute recovery of their overpayment do not have to complete form TC846 but HMRC will send them one if they have not already provided the information needed to consider the position.

Tax Credits

Philip Dunne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revise the operation of tax credits complaints procedures so that individual case officers within HM Revenue and Customs are assigned to each case.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs deal with complaints about tax credits in accordance with the policy and procedures set out in their Code of Practice1: 'Putting things right'. Individual complaints handlers, who are members of dedicated teams, are assigned to each complaint and remain responsible for it until it is resolved.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what legal advice he has received in relation to recoveryof overpaid tax credits; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the letter I sent him today.

Tax Credits

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many requests to reconsider the recovery of overpayments of working tax credit were received in (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005.

Dawn Primarolo: Overpayments for 200304 were only finalised after April 2004 when HMRC started finalising tax credits awards for that year and the Department began considering disputed overpayments in June 2004.
	In 200405, around 217,000 claimants had returned form TC846, or had otherwise been recorded as requesting the write off of their overpayments on the grounds of official error. In April and May 2005, the tax credit office received around 54,000 similar requests. There are no separate figures relating to working tax credit.

Tax Gap

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will (a) use a model similar to that used by the US Inland Revenue Service to estimate the tax gap in the UK and (b) regularly publish the results of the estimate.

Dawn Primarolo: There is currently no reliable estimate of the amount of direct taxes underpaid. The model used by US Inland Revenue Service to estimate the tax gap consists of a large number of component parts. HMRC is exploring the use of a number of these methods to estimate parts of the tax gap.
	It was acknowledged by the NAO Fraud Studypublished in 2003that HMRC is as well advanced as overseas fiscal authorities in its thinking and work on fraud measurement.

Tax Incentives

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax incentives are available to businesses locating and operating in the UK.

Dawn Primarolo: The UK's macroeconomic stability, low rates of corporation tax and other tax incentives such as tax relief for intangibles assets and R and D tax credits, make the UK a very competitive environment for business.

Tax Relief (Pension Contributions)

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the cost of tax life on pension contributions in (a) 200506 (b) 200607 and (c) 200708, broken down by tax rate.

Ivan Lewis: Latest estimates of the cost of tax relief on private pension contributions for 199899 to 200304 are published on the HMRC website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/pensions/table7_9_september04.pdf
	Estimates for the years asked for in the question are not available.

Taxation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the level of taxation on the economy.

Des Browne: The Government's macro-economic framework consistently has delivered stability with strong growth and low inflation, establishing a track record that has been acknowledged internationally. The Government's approach to taxation balances the need to finance better quality public services, deliver fairness and promote sustainable development while ensuring that the UK benefits from the advantages of being a lightly taxed economy.

Taxis

David Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Department has spent on taxis in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The Treasury's estimated spending on taxis in the last five years is as follows:
	
		000
		
			  Cost 
		
		
			 200001 143 
			 200102 120 
			 200203 163 
			 200304 151 
			 200405 149 
		
	
	The figures for 200203 onwards include courier costs, since the Treasury has a combined contract for courier and taxi services, and it is not feasible to disaggregate the courier element.

VAT

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on reducing the VAT rate on condoms.

Dawn Primarolo: VAT rates are a matter for the Chancellor and any changes will be considered as part of the Budget process.
	Treasury Ministers and officials meet their Department of Health counterparts regularly to discuss a wide range of issues

VAT

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the VAT gap was in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the VAT gap for recent years are available in the December 2004 paper Measuring and Tackling Indirect Tax Losses, which is available in the Library of the House.

Volunteering

David Kidney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken within his Department to support the International Year of the Volunteer; and what steps have been taken to promote volunteering since 1997.

Paul Goggins: I have been asked to reply.
	The Home Office budget to promote volunteering and the wider voluntary and community sector has increased almost tenfold from 16 million in 199798 to 153 million in 200506. Some examples of the initiatives that the budget has been used for, include:
	The Time Limited Development Fund (TLDF)a 13.5 million boost for volunteering in deprived communities. 113 voluntary organisations were selected in May 2002 for funding over the years 200203 to 200405. The organisations worked in deprived areas across England to help build the capacity of local communities by significantly increasing the number of local people involved in voluntary services and community support.
	ChangeUpa capacity building and infrastructure framework for the voluntary and community sector. ChangeUp is being supported by an initial investment of 80 million to be spent by March 2006, and a further 70 million for years 200607 and 200708.
	Futurebuildersthe Government set up the 125 million Futurebuilders Fund, an innovative programme designed to assist front line voluntary and community organisations to build their capacity to deliver public services by providing tailored loan based funding packages.
	The Russell Commissionthe Government are allocating 45 million between 200506 and 200708 to support the implementation of the Commission's recommendations. This will be supported by a matched volunteering opportunities fund, which aims to attract at least 55 million from private sector sources.
	International Year of the VolunteerThe National Centre for Volunteering, in consultation with the Home Office and key volunteering-involving organisations, agreed a structure for the delivery of the International Year of the Volunteer which took place in 2001. Those involved in the programme considered the Year to be a success. The Active Community Unit at the Home Office provided 297,229 core funding for the Year. Furthermore, 2005 is the Year of the Volunteer. The aims and objectives of the Year are to create awareness of, increase the opportunities for and encourage more people to get involved in volunteering. The Year is owned by volunteers, led by a partnership between Community Service Volunteers (CSV) and the Volunteering England consortium, and supported by the Home Office. The Volunteering England consortium consists of Volunteering England, community sector. TimeBank, YouthNet UK, The Media Trust, Business in the Community (BitC) and Youth Action Network. The Home Office spending on the Year is illustrated in table one. The devolved administrations are funding and hosting their own campaigns and initiatives to support the year and these differ in each country.
	
		Table 1: Home Office investment into YV05
		
			Policy initiatives Amount invested by the Home Office () 
		
		
			 Community Service Volunteers Principal Voluntary Sector partner delivering a range of activities, events, promotional materials and press and media coverage. 1,000,000 
			 Community Service Volunteers To deliver a government employee volunteering scheme. 500,000 
			 Volunteering England Principal Voluntary Sector partner working with a consortium to deliver a range of activities, events, promotional materials and press and media coverage. 1,000,000 
			 Volunteering England To increase the capacity of local volunteer centres throughout England. 3,000,000 
			 Volunteering England Small grants programme for other stakeholders who can contribute to achieving the objectives of YOV 2005 250,000 
			 Marketing/Communications Support Research and branding, publicity, partnership marketing and the YOV 2005 website (www.yearofthevolunteer.org). 250,000 
			 Website and YOV 2005 evaluation support To develop and enhance www.yearofthevolunteer.org and manage project evaluation. 100,000 
			 Media Trust For high-profile, multi-media consumer marketing campaign which aims to supercharge the year, raise awareness of volunteering and drive registrations of new volunteers. 1,000,000 
			 Total  7,100,000

Young People (Denbighshire)

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of young people are not in employment, education or training in Denbighshire, broken down by ward and listed in descending order.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Chris Ruane, dated 4 July 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about young people in Denbighshire. (8268)
	The number of people aged 16 to 24 not in employment, or in full-time education or government training, resident in Denbighshire during the 12 months ending February 2004 is estimated at 1,000. This represents around 11 per cent. of the population in that age group. A breakdown by ward is not available.
	This estimate is based on annual local area Labour Force Survey data which, as with any sample survey, is subject to sampling variability.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Scrap it Campaign

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons his Department plans to withdraw funding for the Scrap It campaign.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office has provided more than 13 million over three years until March 2006 with the aim of kick starting abandoned vehicle removal in London. From the outset, it was agreed that the scheme would be funded for three years, with the long-term goal for all partners to have in place good procedures and practice to continue vehicle removal after the funding ended.
	We are delighted with the success of the Scrap It scheme which has enabled more than 30,000 (98 per cent.) vehicles confirmed as untaxed or abandoned to be removed within 72 hours of reporting. This has made a significant impact on the numbers of vehicles reported as abandoned, which fell to 220,000 vehicles in 200304. In April 2005, the British Crime Survey also recorded a significant reduction in people perceiving abandoned or burnt out cars as a very or fairly big problem in their area.

Acts of Parliament (Internet Access)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to make all Acts of Parliament published before 1988 for which his Department is responsible available online.

Charles Clarke: The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) within the Cabinet Office is the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament, and responsible for the publication of Acts of Parliament. HMSO has considered the publication of Acts prior to 1988, which is the earliest date when these were available electronically, but has decided not to do so as many have been heavily amended and to publish them in their original form would be misleading for many users. The Government are, however, taking forward development of a Statute Law Database which will contain the fully revised and updated text of all legislation from 1275. It is expected that this will be made available to the general public during 2006.

Additional Police Officers (Funding)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contractual relationship is entered into when a local authority funds additional police officers; and whether funding is (a) on the basis of full cost recovery and (b) is guaranteed for a fixed period.

Hazel Blears: Under section 92 of the Police Act 1996 the council of a county, district, county borough or London borough may make grants to any police authority established under section three of the Act whose police area falls wholly or partly within the county, district, county borough or borough. Grants under this section may be made unconditionally or, with the agreement of the chief officer of police for the police area concerned, subject to conditions. The details of any agreement are a matter for negotiation between the council, police authority and chief officer concerned.

Additional Police Officers (Funding)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has approved the contract to be signed between Gloucestershire county council and Gloucestershire police authority to meet the new administration's commitment to the employment of 60 new police officers.

Hazel Blears: I understand that the chief constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary (Dr. Tim Brain QPM), the police authority and the county council are discussing a possible grant by the council to the authority. Section 92 of the Police Act 1996 makes provision for such grants, which do not require the approval of the Home Secretary.

African Children

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken since September 2001 to prevent the importation of children from Africa to be murdered as human sacrifices in churches; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Since September 2001 the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) has taken forward several initiatives aimed at identifying vulnerable children on arrival in the UK:
	Taking forward the recommendations of Operation Paladina multi-agency project led by the Metropolitan police aimed at protecting children.
	An interviewing minors course has been available to staff in the Immigration Service since November 2004, providing specialist training in the skills needed to recognise signs of abuse as well as an awareness of the potential issues.
	In June 2004 the IND Children's Taskforce was set up to address new duties and responsibilities imposed on agencies by the Children Act 2004.
	The vulnerability of children who arrive unaccompanied in the United Kingdom is recognised and every effort is made to establish the bona-fides of the person they are meeting and the purpose of their visit. Social Services are alerted in all cases where an immigration officer has concerns for the welfare of the child.

Agency Funding

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding the (a) Youth Crime Programme Board, (b) Crime Reduction Delivery Board, (c) Penalty Notices for Disorder Operational Working Group, (d) Prolific and Other Priority Offenders Programme Board and (e) Safer Schools Partnership Steering Group has received from (i) his Department and (ii) the Youth Justice Board for 200506.

Paul Goggins: I understand from the Secretary of State for Education and Skills that there is no programme budget to cover the Youth Crime Programme Board as it is classed as routine business. The costs of these meetings are absorbed by normal running costs allocated across the Children, Young People and Families Directorate in the Department for Education and Skills.
	The Safer Schools Partnership Steering Group is also chaired by the Department for Education and Skills. This board received 300,000 last year. Funding for 200506 is still under negotiation.
	No specific budgets are allocated to the Crime Reduction Delivery Board, the Penalty Notices for Disorder Operational Working Group or the Prolific and other Priority Offenders Programme Board from either the Home Office or the Youth Justice Board. Again, the costs of these meetings are absorbed by normal running costs allocated across the Home Office.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued to minors in each of the last five years, broken down by age.

Hazel Blears: The available information is given in the following table.
	
		The number of ASBOs issued at all courts, as reported to the Home Office, by age and period, up to 30 September 2004(latest available) -- England and Wales
		
			  Period 
			 Age 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2000(33) 2001 2002 2003 1 January 2004 to 30 September 2004 Total 
		
		
			 10 1 2  5 5 13 
			 11 3 10 5 10 13 41 
			 12 5 10 10 15 16 56 
			 13 S 17 13 34 48 120 
			 14 5 23 44 73 107 252 
			 15 21 49 51 119 168 408 
			 16 9 45 64 148 189 455 
			 17 9 28 48 110 188 383 
			 Total 61 184 235 514 734 1,728 
		
	
	(33)Between 1 April 1999 and 31 May 2000 data were collected on aggregate numbers only by police force area (pfa).

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in each of the last four years for which figures are available; and what proportion were issued to persons under 18 years.

Hazel Blears: The available information is given in the table.
	
		The number of ASBOs issued at all courts, as reported to the Home Office, by period, and percentage age breakdown, up to 30 September 2004(34)England and Wales
		
			   Percentage by age group 
			 Period Number issued 1017 18+ not known 
		
		
			 2001 323 57 41 2 
			 2002 403 58 38 4 
			 2003 1,035 50 50 0 
			 2004(35) 1,826 40 58 1 
			 Total 3,587 46 52 1 
		
	
	(34)Latest available.
	(35)January to September.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been served on people with (a) mental health problems and (b) disabilities.

Hazel Blears: Information is not collected centrally about the characteristics of persons issued with an antisocial behaviour order.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the latest figures are for the numbers of occasions on which antisocial behaviour orders have been breached; and when figures will be updated.

Hazel Blears: The currently available information on the number of occasions on which antisocial behaviour orders have been breached is 2,053. This figure is based on those orders issued, as reported to the Home Office, between 1 June 2000 and 31 December 2003 and covers all breach occasions within that period.
	Breach data for 2004 will be available towards the end of the year.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what types of behaviour antisocial behaviour orders have been used; and how many antisocial behaviour orders have been used for each type of behaviour.

Hazel Blears: Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) are commonly used to tackle general unruly behaviour such as verbal abuse, harassment, graffiti and noise nuisance. However, they have also been used to combat racial harassment, drunk and disorderly behaviour, vehicle crime and prostitution. The wide range of antisocial behaviour that can be tackled by ASBOs illustrates their flexibility.
	Data collated by the Home Office for statistical purposes does not identify the circumstances that led to the issuing of an ASBO.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the effectiveness of antisocial behaviour orders will be evaluated; and what the criteria for the evaluation will be.

Hazel Blears: From the summer we will be conducting an evaluation of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs). The criteria for evaluation will be based on key research questions. These questions will focus on the extent and circumstances under which ASBOs are effective in tackling antisocial behaviour, and how ASBOs work as part of wider strategies to tackle antisocial behaviour.
	Published findings from this work will be available in 2006.

Asylum and Immigration

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Government will be required to pay to GSL UK Ltd. as a consequence of not proceeding with the accommodation centre for asylum seekers in Bicester.

Tony McNulty: The cost of terminating the contract with GSL for the accommodation centre at Bicester is currently the subject of discussions between the parties.

Asylum and Immigration

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the cost of the proposed accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester is attributable to the cost of the acquisition of the land.

Tony McNulty: The cost of the Bicester site was 3.25 million.

Asylum and Immigration

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department acquired the site for the proposed accommodation centre at Bicester from the Ministry of Defence at full market value.

Tony McNulty: Yes. The price agreed with the Ministry of Defence's retained valuer was market value.

Asylum and Immigration

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places he expects there to be at the secure detention centre for failed asylum seekers at Bicester.

Tony McNulty: The details of any such centre have yet to be decided.

Asylum and Immigration

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legal advice is provided to failed asylum seekers held in secure detention centres.

Tony McNulty: Legal advice given to those in immigration detention is a confidential matter between legal representatives and their clients. However, detainees are made aware of the availability of legal advice through information displayed around the removal centres. Information is also provided in the library. It is a matter for individual detainees to decide whether or not they wish to seek legal advice or representation. In those cases where individuals are detained as part of the Fast Track asylum process legal advice is available on site.

Asylum and Immigration

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who he expects to run the proposed secure detention centre at Bicester.

Tony McNulty: Should we proceed to develop a secure removal centre near Bicester we will appoint a contractor following a procurement competition under EU procurement regulations.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason applicants for asylum arriving from France are not returned to France.

Tony McNulty: Returns of applicants to other European states, including France, are governed by the provisions of the Dublin II and Eurodac regulations.
	Where there is evidence that France is the responsible state, then the appropriate procedures will be initiated by the Immigration Service to secure the transfer of the applicant to France.
	If the evidence and application of the Dublin arrangements establishes that responsibility lies with any other participating state then the appropriate transfer would be sought to that state rather than to France.
	If no other participating state (including France) has responsibility in accordance with the Dublin II criteria then the application for asylum is considered by the United Kingdom.

Asylum and Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will renegotiate the bilateral agreement with France to enable the UK to send asylum seekers arriving from France back to France to process their claims.

Tony McNulty: We have no intention to renegotiate the bilateral gentleman's agreement. The asylum aspects have been replaced by the Dublin II and Eurodac regulations. These regulations have enabled us to return more asylum seekers, not just to France, but to other EU member states.

Asylum and Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on provision for asylum seekers in each local authority since 1995.

Tony McNulty: Local authorities retain responsibility for providing support to certain asylum seekers and can claim grant from the Home Office to meet the reasonable costs of providing this support. Details of the grants paid for adults and families since 1 April 1999 and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children UASC, since 1 April 2000 are available on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website:
	http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/home/applying/national_asylum_support/stakeholders/finance.html.
	Other expenditure on the provision of support to asylum seekers is not recorded by individual local authority and therefore a breakdown cannot be provided.
	Prior to 1 April 1999 the Department of Health was responsible for the grant to local authorities for the provision of support to asylum seekers.

Asylum and Immigration

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applicants from (a) Somalia, (b) Ethiopia, (c) Eritrea, (d) Democratic Republic of Congo, (e) Senegal and (f) Ivory Coast have been (i) granted exceptional leave to remain, (ii)granted indefinite leave to remain, (iii) refused leave and (iv) removed in each year since 2000.

Tony McNulty: The table shows initial decisions, appeal determinations and removals for nationals of Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and the Ivory Coast since 2000. Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period and appeal outcomes do not necessarily relate to initial decisions made in the same period.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals are published quarterly. The next publication covering the second quarter of 2005 will be available in August 2005 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		Initial decisions(36)(5507970037) on asylum applications, 2000 to 2004
		
			   Cases considered under normal procedures Backlog clearance exercise 
			  Total initial decisions Grants of asylum Grants of ELR, HP or DL(38) Total refusals Granted asylum or ELR under backlog criteria(39)(5507970040) Refused under backlog criteria(39)(5507970040) 
		
		
			 Somalia   
			 2000 11,325 5,310 3,575 2,365 55 15 
			 2001 8,430 2,910 1,995 3,525 n/a n/a 
			 2002 6,735 2,515 1,405 2,815 n/a n/a 
			 2003(42) 6,050 1,665 550 3,835 n/a n/a 
			 2004(42) 3,280 460 465 2,360 n/a n/a 
			
			 Ethiopia   
			 2000 895 40 80 355 390 30 
			 2001 1,175 90 240 845 n/a n/a 
			 2002 705 50 170 485 n/a n/a 
			 2003(42) 740 15 135 590 n/a n/a 
			 2004(42) 660 15 130 515 n/a n/a 
			
			 Eritrea   
			 2000 705 35 60 330 265 15 
			 2001 1,305 120 230 955 n/a n/a 
			 2002 1,110 140 210 755 n/a n/a 
			 2003(42) 1,115 65 175 875 n/a n/a 
			 2004(42) 995 75 185 735 n/a n/a 
			 Dem Rep. of Congo
			 2000 2,005 145 180 990 610 75 
			 2001 2,475 325 340 1,815 n/a n/a 
			 2002 2,050 155 305 1,590 n/a n/a 
			 2003(42) 1,970 90 200 1,685 n/a n/a 
			 2004(42) 1,765 55 175 1,530 n/a n/a 
			  
			 Senegal   
			 2000 10 * * 5 *  
			 2001 15   15 n/a n/a 
			 2002 25 * * 25 n/a n/a 
			 2003(42) 30   30 n/a n/a 
			 2004(42) 25  * 25 n/a n/a 
			
			 Ivory Coast   
			 2000 365 15 15 265 70 5 
			 2001 500 20 25 455 n/a n/a 
			 2002 225 10 15 200 n/a n/a 
			 2003(42) 515 20 25 470 n/a n/a 
			 2004(42) 290 5 15 270 n/a n/a 
		
	
	n/a=not applicable
	(36)Figures rounded to nearest 5, with '*'=1 or 2.
	(37)Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
	(38)Humanitarian protection and discretionary leave replaced exceptional leave to remain from 1 April 2003.
	(39)Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre '96 Act asylum backlog.
	(40)May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted.
	(41)May include a small number of cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds,
	(42)Provisional figures.

Asylum and Immigration

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will allow asylum seekers to work while awaiting a decision on their cases.

Tony McNulty: Asylum seekers are not allowed to work in the UK and we have no plans to change this policy. However, since 6 February 2005, following the introduction of the EU directive on reception standards for asylum seekers, asylum seekers may seek permission to work if their claim remains outstanding for longer than 12 months without a decision being made on it and providing the reason for the delay cannot be attributable to the asylum seeker.

Asylum and Immigration

Richard Shepherd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on deporting failed asylum seekers who are suffering from HIV/AIDS, following the Court of Appeal's judgment in N (FC) v. the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 28 June 2005
	The policy on removing persons, including failed asylum seekers, who are suffering from HIV/AIDS is being reviewed in the light of the House of Lords appeal judgment in N (FC) v. the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Asylum and Immigration

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will grant indefinite leave to remain to asylum seekers proven to have come to the UK from Zimbabwe and held in UK detention centres awaiting deportation.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 29 June 2005
	Asylum and human rights claims by Zimbabwean nationals, like those from nationals of every other country, are considered on their individual merits in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 UN refugee convention and the European convention on human rights (ECHR). We do not consider it appropriate to grant indefinite leave to remain purely on the basis of a person's nationality.
	As with any other nationality, Zimbabweans who meet the definition of a refugee in the 1951 convention are granted asylum. If they do not qualify for asylum, but there are other circumstances that make them particularly vulnerable and engage our obligations under the ECHR, they are granted humanitarian protection or discretionary leave. If their application is refused, they have a right of appeal to the independent asylum and immigration tribunal. If an asylum and human rights claim is refused, and any appeal to the independent asylum and immigration tribunal is unsuccessful, that means that it would be safe for that particular individual to return to Zimbabwe. It is in this way we ensure that we provide protection to those Zimbabweans who need it.

Asylum and Immigration

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will ensure that no asylum detainee is transported to a port of departure pursuant to a deportation order in a vehicle without CCTV, or the offer of escort by an independent observer;
	(2)  whether CCTV cameras have been introduced in all the vehicles used to escort asylum detainees to and from Yarl's Wood and Oakington Detention Centres; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Group 4 Securicor is contracted to carry out all in-country escorts as well as escorted removals overseas.
	Since the commencement of the contract, due to the increased volume of demand, Securicor has not been able to meet all requests for overseas removals. As a result, for some overseas removals we have continued to use our previous approved list supplier Recruitment Solutions International (RSI).
	All vehicles used by our contracted supplier Securicor are fitted with CCTV. RSI are currently fitting their vehicles with CCTV.

Asylum and Immigration

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum detainees have received new orders for deportation during the course of investigation into complaints made against escort services for transport to and from Oakington and Yarl's Wood Detention Centres in the last five years.

Tony McNulty: This information is not readily available and the provision of a reply would be at disproportionate cost.

Asylum and Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) male and (b) female asylum seekers were accepted into the UK since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The requested information on when asylum seekers arrive in the UK is not available. Data on applications by asylum seekers are based on the date when an application is made.
	The table shows the number of asylum applications received since 1997 by sex.
	Data on applications and initial decision outcomes for asylum seekers broken down by sex is published annually. The next publication covering 2004 will be available in August 2005 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		Applications(43) for asylum in the UK, excluding dependants by sex1997 to 2003
		
			  Applications received 
			  Male Female Total 
		
		
			 1997 24,375 8,125 32,500 
			 1998 35,430 10,585 46,015 
			 1999 47,675 23,480 71,160 
			 2000(44) 65,055 15,260 80,315 
			 2001 53,940 17,090 71,025 
			 2002 62,355 21,780 84,130 
			 2003(45) 34,090 15,320 49,405 
		
	
	(43)Figures rounded to the nearest 5.
	(44)May exclude some cases lodged at local enforcement offices between January 1999 and March 2000.
	(45)Provisional figures.

Asylum and Immigration

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the investigation into the complaints made by Angeline Bure, Ashley S. Tshabangu and Anastancia Zulu, Zimbabwean nationals, against the escort service RSI in relation to the execution of a deportation order on 1 May has been completed.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 30 June 2005
	MsBure, Ms Tshabangu and Ms Zulu have all alleged assault by the escorts contracted to escort them on their removal.
	In all cases where a detainee alleges assault by the escorts, the escorting Contract Monitor will first refer the matter to the police as the appropriate investigating authority. The Immigration Service will co-operate fully with any police enquiries. The Contract Monitor will also consider whether the allegation is such that it is appropriate to suspend the certification of the escorting officer(s) involved.
	On completion of any police inquiry, the Contract Monitor will also conduct an investigation into the allegation under the UK Immigration Service's internal complaints procedures.
	The investigations into the complaints made by Ms Bure, Ms Tshabangu and Ms Zulu are still outstanding with the police.

Asylum and Immigration

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received notification of a complaint by Angeline Bure, Ashley S. Tshabangu and Anastancia Zulu, Zimbabwean nationals, about the escort service RSI in relation to the execution of a deportation order to Zimbabwe on 1 May 2005.

Tony McNulty: Notification of these complaints was received by the escorting contract monitor on 3 May 2005.

Asylum and Immigration

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning the conduct of escort services for asylum detainees to and from Yarl's Wood and Oakington detention centres.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 30 June 2005
	Representations have recently been received from the Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees (AVID). AVID inquired into the circumstances surrounding the escorted removal of three Zimbabwean women from Yarl's Wood Removal Centre.

Asylum and Immigration

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from Zimbabwean nationals in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003, (d) 2004 and (e) 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Information on asylum applications for nationals of Zimbabwe are published quarterly and annually. The information requested is given in the following table, and published in the annual bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2003, and (data for 2004 and Q1 2005) Asylum Statistics: 1st Quarter 2005 United Kingdom. Copies are available from the Library of the House and on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	
		Applications(46) for asylum in the UK, excluding dependants, for nationals of Zimbabwe, 2001 to Q1 2005
		
			  Applications received 
		
		
			 2001 2,140 
			 2002 7,655 
			 2003(47) 3,295 
			 2004(47) 2,050 
			 Q1 2005(47) 220 
		
	
	(46)Figures rounded to the nearest 5.
	(47)Provisional figures.

Asylum and Immigration

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications from Zimbabwe have been successful in the past 18 months; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Information on asylum applications, initial decision outcomes and appeal outcomes for nationals of Zimbabwe are published quarterly and annually. The information requested is given in the following table, and published in the annual bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2003, and (data for 2004 and Q1 2005) Asylum Statistics: 1st Quarter 2005 United Kingdom. Copies are available from the Library of the House and on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	
		Asylum applications(48) received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions(49) on applications, nationals of Zimbabwe, Q4 2003Q1 2005 -- Principal applicants
		
			  Applications Decisions 
			  Total Total decisions Grants of asylum Grants of HP(50) Grants of DL(50) Total refusals 
		
		
			 Q4 2003 680 950 115  5 830 
			 Q1 2004 545 845 90  10 740 
			 Q2 2004 505 550 55  5 490 
			 Q3 2004 535 630 45 (51) 10 575 
			 Q4 2004 460 530 25 (51) 5 500 
			 Q1 2005 220 330 20 (51) 5 300 
		
	
	(48)Figures are provisional and rounded to nearest 5.
	(49)Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
	(50)Humanitarian protection and discretionary leave replaced exceptional leave to remain from 1 April 2003.
	(51)Figures=1 or 2.

Asylum and Immigration

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum in the UK were made in 2004; and how many of those applying were detained during the application process.

Tony McNulty: 33,930 asylum applications were received in 2004, 31 per cent. lower than in 2003 (49,405). Information on how many of these were detained during the application process is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.
	As at 25 December 2004, 1,515 persons who had sought asylum at some stage were being detained in the UK solely under Immigration Act powers. This represented 78 per cent. of the total number of persons detained as at that date. This excludes persons detained in police cells and persons detained under dual immigration and other powers.
	Information on asylum applications and asylum detainees are published quarterly on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum and Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to stop illegal immigrants being smuggled into the UK.

Tony McNulty: Through expanding our juxtaposed controls, deploying new detection technology and increasing our airline liaison network overseas we have already made significant improvements to border controls and in preventing illegal immigrants being smuggled into the UK. These measures have had a significant impact in deterring illegal immigration and in reducing asylum intake.
	In order to enhance further our border controls we are expanding our airline liaison officer network abroad and developing and implementing a more comprehensive and debriefing system in the UK. We are also expanding our mobile freight search and surveillance capability to counter any new or emerging threats.

Asylum and Immigration

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the immigration process for overseas doctors who have passed the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board Test.

Tony McNulty: The provisions for overseas doctors coming to the UK to take the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board Test were reviewed earlier this year. After consultation with the Department of Health, General Medical Council and British Medical Association, these provisions were incorporated into the Immigration Rules on 15 March 2005. We have no further plans to review these specific provisions.
	We are in the process of reviewing the immigration system for all those coming to the UK to work, train or study, following the publication of the five year strategy Controlling our borders: Making migration work for Britain on 7 February 2005.

Asylum and Immigration

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration cases that were suspended following the Sutton Report have not yet been processed.

Tony McNulty: We intend to publish all statistics relating to the European Community Association Agreements towards the end of August 2005.

Asylum and Immigration

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what measures he is undertaking to increase the number of immigration staff at key immigration posts in the UK;
	(2)  when he expects all immigration posts to be operated by the target number of staff.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration Service is currently conducting internal and external recruitment campaigns at a number of locations to meet current and anticipated staffing requirements for the current financial year. We intend to follow this with a further rolling recruitment programme to maintain staffing levels.
	Postings will be made on a phased basis and on current projections it is anticipated that the majority of successful candidates will be in post by October 2005 and all will be in post by December.

Asylum and Immigration

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  which officials are entitled to assess the standard of English of an applicant for citizenship in the UK;
	(2)  what qualifications an official is required to possess to assess the standard of English of an applicant for citizenship in the UK.

Tony McNulty: Government officials do not assess language ability. Home Office officials check that documents submitted show that the applicant meets the standard required for those applying for naturalisation.
	Applicants can submit a certificate at English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) entry three or above or an educational certificate that could only have been obtained by someone with good English. Entry three is set at the B1 threshold level under the Council of Europe framework which is a level adopted in many European countries for naturalisation purposes.
	For those applicants who hold no such certificate, a qualified solicitor or notary may, by way of a short interview certify that someone is a native speaker of English or that their English language skills are as good as would be expected of a native English speaker of full age and capacity.

Asylum and Immigration

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the length of visit visa that can be issued to an overseas doctor on successful completion of the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board examination.

Tony McNulty: There is no need to extend the leave granted to overseas doctors after they pass the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) Test. Once they have passed the PLAB Test, overseas doctors can apply to extend their stay to pursue their training in the UK or to take up employment here. They do not need to have a specific training post arranged in order to be granted leave for this purpose, as long as the relevant Postgraduate Dean confirms that they will be pursuing their training in the UK.
	Since 15 March 2005 those granted leave to take the PLAB Test are not considered as visitors but have a separate category within the Immigration Rules.

Asylum and Immigration

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overseas doctors (a) made original applications for, (b) passed and (c) failed the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board examination; and how many who passed made renewal applications for their visit visa (i) in total, (ii) once, (iii) on two or three occasions, (iv) on four or five occasions and (v) on more than five occasions in each year.

Tony McNulty: The General Medical Council (GMC) uses the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) to enable overseas doctors to demonstrate their knowledge of English and their medical expertise. The Home Office does not administer the PLAB test, nor does it know how many candidates sat either part of the test (the first part of which may be taken overseas) or what the results were.
	Doctors coming to the UK to take the PLAB test are eligible for up to six months of leave to take the PLAB test. They can extend this twice if they need further time to take or re-take the test and have a confirmed test date. If this is not sufficient to enable them to pass the test, they are expected to leave the UK. Once they have passed the PLAB test they are expected to switch into the relevant managed migration route to enable them to pursue their training or take up employment in the UK.
	The figures on the number of overseas doctors seeking to extend their leave to take the PLAB test are not available.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the incidence of false positive alerts from the automatic number plate recognition system.

Paul Goggins: The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) pilot evaluation report, Driving Crime DownDenying Criminals the Use of the Roads highlighted inadequacies in the accuracy of various intelligence databases available to the Police Service. Not only does poor quality data lead to police time being wasted but it can also detract from the real aim of ANPR, which is to deny criminals the use of the roads.
	Work is advancing to improve the timeliness of the Driving Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) databases that are used by ANPR. The DVLA will shortly have Criminal Justice Extranet (CJX) (this provides police forces with telephony, internet access and a secure extranet) accreditation to allow full electronic updating to police forces on a regular basis. In addition, bar coding of Vehicle Excise Licenses at point of issue and vehicle documentation registration improvements should further improve matters during the coming year.
	Plans are also in hand to ensure reports generated by the Police National Computer are accurate and that only current information, uploaded from police local databases, is used in ANPR systems.

Biometric Information

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of (a) the error rate and (b) the durability of (i) fingerprint identification, (ii) retina identification and (iii) facial mapping; and what assessment has been made of the effects of (A) age and (B) seasonal work on the accuracy of fingerprint identification.

Andy Burnham: We have taken a number of steps to assess the accuracy of biometric readings: we have closely reviewed leading scientific evidence in the field; we have consulted biometric experts from academia and industry and we have sought to build on the experience and knowledge of other organisations, such as Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) and Communications-Electronic Securities Group (CESG).
	With regard to the effects of age and durability of biometrics, the Home Office has consulted expert opinion which has concluded that fingerprint and iris biometrics do not generally change over long periods, once adulthood is reached. We have reviewed leading studies on facial mapping and continue to review the likely performance of future technologies in this field to make a more detailed judgment on its durability.
	Some occupations cause damage to fingerprint biometrics and this may, in some instances, limit the ability of an individual to use this biometric. However, face and iris image biometrics would still be available for these people.

Citizenship Test

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the citizenship tests will contain; who will sit them; and what will happen to an applicant who fails the citizenship test.

Tony McNulty: I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement of 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 14WS, which sets out the steps we are taking to introduce the requirement that all those applying for naturalisation will need to demonstrate knowledge of life in the United Kingdom. The statement also sets out the two ways in which prospective citizens can demonstrate their knowledge. A person who fails the test is advised to study the source material further before attempting it again.

Citizenship Test

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government have commissioned research into the usefulness of citizenship tests in helping people to settle in the UK.

Tony McNulty: We shall be looking to the Advisory Board on Naturalisation and Integration to advise on the effectiveness of the tests once they have been introduced.

Computer Crime

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of computer (a) hacking, (b) fraud and (c) theft his Department recorded in each year since 200102; and for each year on how many occasions computer systems have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (i) within and (ii)outside his Department.

Charles Clarke: Home Office records show that there were no cases of computer hacking or fraud detected from 2001 to date.
	The number of incidents of computer theft recorded was 14 in 2001, 19 in 2002, 59 in 2003, 140 in 2004, and 95 in 2005 (to date).

Computer Misuse Act

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the Computer Misuse Act 1990; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 15 June 2005
	As has previously been announced, changes to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 will be required in order to implement the requirements of the European Union Framework Decision on Attacks Against Information Systems and the related provisions contained in the Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention. These measures will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.

Correspondence

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter of 14 January, from the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire, regarding the application of Edward Salmon of McDonald Drive in Irvine for a British passport.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 21 June 2005
	Ireplied to my hon. Friend on 30 June 2005.

Correspondence

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reason was for the delay in the reply to the letter dated 29 October 2004 from the hon. Member for North Down in relation to the impact of immigration on security in Northern Ireland.

Tony McNulty: The delay in responding to the hon. Member's letter was not acceptable. It was received on 4 November by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's (IND) MP's Correspondence Section, whose responsibility is to allocate MP's letters to the appropriate part of IND to draft a reply. Unfortunately, the hon. Member's letter was then misallocated within the Home Office on a number of occasions and was also overlooked in one department for a number of months. Once the correct department had been identified, a draft reply was prepared immediately. Existing procedures have been streamlined and are being enforced, and more staff have been recruited, to ensure that this situation is not repeated.

Correspondence

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will answer the letter dated 1 June 2005 from the hon. Member for Woking concerning Mr. Ahmed (references A581078/3 and PO7892/04).

Tony McNulty: I wrote to the hon. Member on 1 July.

Correspondence

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to answer the letter to him dated 3 June from the hon. Member for North Down in relation to Mr. James Milsom Boland.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 30 June 2005
	My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the Home Office, the member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) wrote to the hon. Member on 29 June 2005.

Cost of Imprisonment

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the average cost per year of a prisoner held in (a) PFI-funded and (b) non PFI-funded prisons in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: Prior to 1 April 2003 costs for public and contracted prisons were not separated. In financial years 200102 and 200203 the average cost per prisoner for the whole prison system was 23,105 and 24,241 respectively. In 200304 the average cost per prisoner was 25,377 for contracted prisons and 25,718 for public sector prisons.

Credit Card Fraud (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted of credit card fraud in each London borough in each of the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office Court Proceedings database is unable to distinguish offences of credit card fraud from other types of fraud, as the circumstances of individual offences are not collected centrally.

Crime and Disorder Partnerships

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of crime and disorder partnerships; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 16 June 2005
	The Home Office has in place performance management arrangements to ensure the effectiveness of crime and disorder reduction partnerships (CDRPs). Under these arrangements challenging targets for crime reduction have been agreed with each CDRP and progress against them is regularly monitored. Under-performing partnerships are offered support and assistance to improve delivery.
	Many partnerships are now delivering real reductions in crime, disorder and substance misuse to their communities. Our approach to performance management is to work with local partners to bring the performance of all CDRPs, to the level of the best.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Criminal Records Bureau to have the necessary functionality to analyse disclosure applications by employment group.

Andy Burnham: The Criminal Records Bureau remains committed to its plans to build in enhancements to the disclosure application form which, in the future, will enable more specific analysis of employment groups. I am unable to provide a specific time-scale for the installation of this function at present.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Criminal Records Bureau disclosure applications were received in each of the last 12 months; how many were issued; and what the average length of time taken to issue a disclosure was in each month.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Applications received Applications issued Average issue time (days) 
		
		
			 June 2004 205,859 208,098 19,61 
			 July 2004 223,928 210,059 20,68 
			 August 2004 190,266 192,227 22,02 
			 September 2004 233,083 201,109 23,93 
			 October 2004 242,154 218,087 22,44 
			 November 2004 239,827 225,528 24,13 
			 December 2004 190,732 194,337 25,48 
			 January 2005 186,431 197,253 28,41 
			 February 2005 211,601 203,294 24,75 
			 March 2005 227,434 218,364 24,32 
			 April 2005 219,830 225,422 25,75 
			 May 2005 228,159 207,203 26,29

Drugs

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment his Department has made of the health effects of prolonged cannabis use.

Paul Goggins: The advice contained in the report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on the classification of cannabis, published in March 2002. included a wide-ranging assessment of the risks to human health from cannabis use.
	The Advisory Council found that there were several serious consequences of prolonged cannabis use, which included that repeated cannabis use leads to a significant proportion of regular users becoming dependent upon the drug.
	The health risks of using cannabis are also described in guidance commissioned by the Department of Health, published in September 2003, and entitled Dangerousness of DrugsA Guide to the Risks and Harms associated with Substance Misuse.
	The smoking of cannabis presents a health risk with an increased incidence of bronchitis, asthma and lung cancer as well as disorders of the heart and circulation. Preliminary studies of lung function in regular cannabis smokers have not found a major cause for concern in the majority, but some severe cases of lung damage have been reported in very heavy users.
	Cannabis use can worsen existing mental illness, such as schizophrenia, and it slows recovery.
	We continue to monitor the health effects carefully. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary asked the Advisory Council in March to consider all the relevant evidence from recent studies into the links and associations between taking cannabis and developing mental health problems. He wants to be clear whether the evidence would alter the council's overall assessment of the appropriate classification of cannabis. He also asked for advice on the claims of greater prevalence of increased strength cannabis. It is intended that the council will have concluded its assessment in time to report back to my hon. Friend by the end of the year.

Drugs

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what alternatives to the charitable sector there are for the provision of facilities for (a) drug treatment and testing orders and (b) drug rehabilitation requirements in St. Albans;
	(2)  what non-charitable premises are available in St.Albans for the provision of (a) treatment testing and (b) rehabilitation of offenders by his Department; and what provision there is other than the charitable sector for (i) through care and (ii) after-care elements in St.Albans.

Paul Goggins: The non-charitable sector providers for drug treatment and testing orders (DTTOs) and drug rehabilitation requirements (DRRs) in St. Albans are:
	A consultant psychiatrist, employed by the Health Partnership Trust, who undertakes prescribing and delivers any other medical interventions that may be required, as part of St.Albans Community Drug and Alcohol Team (CDAT) based at Edinburgh House, London Road, St. Albans, AL1 1TR.
	Hertfordshire Probation Area (HPA), which has statutory responsibility for the supervision and enforcement of DTTOs/DRRs and delivers accredited offending behaviour programmes at 6272 Victoria Street, St. Albans, AL1 3XH.
	HPA's Victoria Street premises are used by Drugcare, a charitable foundation, for the provision of assessments and/or counselling for offenders with drug problems who are subject to community penalties, other than DTTOs/DRRs.
	The non-charitable throughcare and aftercare element i.e. statutory provision for the rehabilitation of drug misusing offenders in St. Albans is provided by Hertfordshire Drug Interventions Programme (DIP). Through the Hertfordshire DIP, some of the elements of throughcare and aftercare provision for clients and potential clients is provided in St. Albans every Friday currently at SS Alban and Stephen Catholic Church, where they can be assessed, drug tested and offered further support through the dedicated team.

Drugs

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested for the (a) supply and (b) possession with intent to supply of (i) heroin, (ii) crack cocaine, (iii) all class A drugs and (iv) all class B drugs excluding cannabis prior to reclassification in each of the calendar years since 2001, broken down by (A) police force and (B) age of individual arrested.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 20 June 2005
	The information requested is not available centrally.

Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the numbers of (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions that are likely to result in each of the next years from the implementation of the Drugs Act 2005.

Paul Goggins: The total estimated additional prosecutions anticipated in a full year are approximately 3,076 and the additional convictions are anticipated to be approximately 1995.

Drugs

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department has taken to make information available to those attending nightclubs on the effects of combining the use of Viagra and amyl nitrates as recreational drugs.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department has issued no specific guidance on the dangers of combining Viagra and amyl nitrates as recreational drugs.
	Viagra is a licensed medicine and the product information for patients supplied with the medicine contains warnings that Viagra should not be used in combination with nitrates.
	The Department has published two guidance leaflets specifically aimed at young people, which give advice about the use and side effects of a number of drugs, including 'poppers' containing amyl nitrite.
	In addition, the FRANK website aims to inform young people and their parents, carers and families about the effects and risks of taking illicit drugs, including 'poppers' containing amyl nitrite. It also makes very clear the health risk of mixing both Viagra and 'poppers', and of mixing drugs in general.

English Nationality

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that English appears as an option for nationality on Government documents and questionnaires; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Andrew Rosindell, dated 4 July 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding English nationality. (8533)
	The Office for National Statistics collects information on national identity and advises organisations on the collection and classification of national identity data (Ethnic Group Statistics: A guide for the collection and classification of ethnic data (2003), Office for National Statistics: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/ethnic_group_statistics).
	With the new devolved administrations, there has been an increasing interest in 'national' consciousness with many people wanting their 'national' identity to be acknowledged. Many people in the White British ethnic group feel that their national identity is English. The Office for National Statistics encourages organisations to collect data on national identity and recommends the following question:
	What do you consider your national identity to be?
	Please choose your answer from this card. Choose as many or as few as apply:
	English
	Scottish
	Welsh
	Irish
	British
	Other, please specify
	The question allows respondents to choose more than one identity (if they think of themselves as having more than one). This is because national identity is self-defined, i.e. it is something that is subjectively meaningful to the person concerned.

EU Immigration Controls

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards setting up an EU joint border force.

Tony McNulty: There are no plans to create an EU joint border force.
	The EU's Hague Programme refers to a feasibility study into a European system of Border Guards but makes no commitment to establishing one. The feasibility study will take place in 2007, as part of the review of the recently-established European Border Agency.
	Like many EU member states, the Government remain unconvinced of the need for a European Border force. The case for a centrally managed, multi-national European Corps of Border Guards has not yet been made. There are many practical actions and concrete measures that can be taken forward with EU partners without the need to go as far as creating a European Border Guard.
	But we fully support the Border Agency, which will play a key role in co-ordinating joint operations between EU member states to strengthen the EU's external border. The UK supports the increased number of joint activities and co-operation between member states at the EU external borders where that activity is conducted on an operationally focused, intelligence-led basis. Such action has the potential to enhance the security of the EU's external borders to the benefit of all member states. It should complement, not replace, the work of national border services.
	We also welcome the statement in the Programme that the control and surveillance of external borders falls within the sphere of national border authoritiesthis is a matter of sovereignty.
	During the UK presidency we will continue to contribute actively to EU work on strengthening the EU's external borders and make it a priority to achieve progress in this area.

Exorcism

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to monitor the activities of certain churches in London that are known or believed to carry out exorcisms or similar procedures.

Paul Goggins: The Home Office does not monitor places of religious worship.
	Exorcism is a legitimate activity provided it is practised within the confines of the law.
	It would be a matter for the police to decide the circumstances in which there had been a breach in the law.

Extradition

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he (a) has had and (b) intends to have with his US counterpart about the extradition regime between the UK and the US.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 29 June 2005
	Since the new bilateral extradition treaty was signed on 31 March 2003, the Home Secretary has discussed extradition matters with the former US Attorney General on 16 December 2004 and has also raised the issue with the new Attorney General at the recent G8 bilateral in Sheffield on 16 June.

Extradition

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on their extradition regime arrangements with the United States of America.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 29 June 2005
	None.Any bilateral extradition arrangements between another EU member state and the USA are strictly a matter for the countries concerned.

Extradition

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many extradition cases are outstanding in which the United States is seeking the extradition of individuals to the US from the UK.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 29 June 2005
	As at 23 June 2005, there were 44 extradition cases outstanding in which the USA is seeking the extradition of individuals to the USA from the United Kingdom. Requests are being dealt with under the procedures of the Extradition Act 1989, for requests received on or before 31 December 2003; and under the procedures of the Extradition Act 2003 for requests received since that date.

Extradition

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for extradition were received in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002, (d) 2003 and (e) 2004 from each of the countries that were the subject of the Part 2 Territories Designation Order 2003.

Andy Burnham: The following are figures for the number of extradition requests to the UK from countries that were designated as extradition partners under the Extradition Act 2003 (Designation of Part 2 Territories) Order 2003.
	
		
			 Designated as extradition partners Number of extradition requests 
		
		
			 2000  
			 USA 17 
			 Germany 11 
			 Italy 9 
			 France 7 
			 The Netherlands 5 
			 Switzerland 3 
			 Czech Republic 2 
			 Greece 2 
			 Cyprus 1 
			 Luxembourg 1 
			 Australia 1 
			 Romania 1 
			 Hong Kong SAR 1 
			 Iceland 1 
			 Malawi 1 
			 Ukraine 1 
			 Turkey 1 
			 Uganda 1 
			 All other countries 0 
			 Total for 2000 66 
			 2001  
			 Germany 17 
			 USA 16 
			 Czech Republic 16 
			 Italy 14 
			 The Netherlands 11 
			 Switzerland 7 
			 France 7 
			 Lithuania 5 
			 Poland 4 
			 Turkey 3 
			 Bulgaria 2 
			 Estonia 2 
			 Russian Federation 2 
			 Austria 2 
			 Luxembourg 1 
			 Peru 1 
			 Greece 1 
			 Canada 1 
			 Ukraine 1 
			 Latvia 1 
			 Hong Kong SAR 1 
			 Norway 1 
			 Total for 2001 116 
			   
			 2002  
			 Italy 16 
			 Germany 13 
			 The Netherlands 12 
			 Czech Republic 12 
			 France 10 
			 USA 8 
			 Lithuania 8 
			 Slovakia 3 
			 Russian Federation 3 
			 The Bahamas 3 
			 Turkey 3 
			 Switzerland 3 
			 Albania 3 
			 Zimbabwe 2 
			 Swaziland 2 
			 Tanzania 2 
			 Moldova 1 
			 Cyprus 1 
			 India 1 
			 Norway 1 
			 Bolivia 1 
			 South Africa 1 
			 Slovenia 1 
			 Luxembourg 1 
			 Poland 1 
			 Columbia 1 
			 Australia 1 
			 Grenada 1 
			 Austria 1 
			 New Zealand 1 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 1 
			 Croatia 1 
			 Total for 2002 119 
			   
			 2003  
			 USA 14 
			 Germany 12 
			 The Netherlands 11 
			 Czech Republic 11 
			 Italy 8 
			 France 8 
			 Lithuania 6 
			 Australia 4 
			 Hungary 2 
			 Poland 2 
			 Argentina 2 
			 Switzerland 1 
			 India 1 
			 Monaco 1 
			 Romania 1 
			 Norway 1 
			 Uganda 1 
			 Azerbaijan 1 
			 Zimbabwe 1 
			 Turkey 1 
			 Greece 1 
			 Slovenia 1 
			 Bulgaria 1 
			 Canada 1 
			 Total for 2003 93 
			   
			 2004  
			 USA 35 
			 Czech Republic 9 
			 Germany 9 
			 Italy 8 
			 France 6 
			 Russia 4 
			 Lithuania 4 
			 Australia 3 
			 Albania 3 
			 Poland 3 
			 The Netherlands 2 
			 New Zealand 2 
			 Estonia 2 
			 Bulgaria 1 
			 Turkey 1 
			 Croatia 1 
			 Canada 1 
			 Romania 1 
			 Zambia 1 
			 Ukraine l 
			 Slovakia 1 
			 Total for 2004 98 
		
	
	Furthermore the figures for the first six months of this year, up to 30 June 2005 are as follows:
	
		
			 Designated as extradition partners Number of extradition requests 
		
		
			 2005 (up to June)  
			 Romania 9 
			 Italy 3 
			 USA 3 
			 Canada 2 
			 India 2 
			 Israel 2 
			 Albania 1 
			 Australia 1 
			 Croatia 1 
			 Czech Republic 1 
			 Georgia 1 
			 Germany 1 
			 Mauritius 1 
			 Russian Federation 1 
			 Turkey 1 
			 Total 30 
		
	
	Note:
	1.Countries are not listed above for those years in which they made no extradition requests to the UK.
	2.After the Extradition Act 2003 (Designation of Part 2 Territories) Order 2003 came into force on 1 January 2004, the following countries that were originally designated under that Order, became designated as Part 1 territories under the Extradition Act 2003, on the dates given as follows: 27 July 2004 Austria, Cyprus, France, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia. 1 March 2005 Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Slovakia.

Friedhelm Eronat

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assurances were sought by his Department from Friedhelm Eronat about the prospective scope of his business activities before the decision was made to grant him British citizenship;
	(2)  what discussions took place between his Department and the United States Administration about the activities in the oil business of Friedhelm Eronat before he was granted British citizenship.

Tony McNulty: It is not our normal policy to discuss individual applications. An application for naturalisation must meet certain requirements. These are set out in section 6 of, and Schedule 1 to, the British Nationality Act 1981.

Gangmasters

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of illegal gangmaster activity have been (a) detected and (b) successfully prosecuted in the last five years; and how many migrant workers were involved in each case.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not held centrally as data on illegal working operations carried out by the Immigration Service does not identify where there was gangmaster involvement.
	However, examples of some high-profile, police- led gangmaster prosecutions where the Immigration Service assisted are in the following table.
	
		
			  Date  Gangmaster  Offences Number of illegal workers  Sentences 
		
		
			 March 2004 V. Cox Facilitation and forgery Up to 1,700 7 years 
			  J. Cox Facilitation and forgery  7 years 
			 April 2004 D. Mutch   6 years 
			  R. Kulish   7 years(52) 
			  J. Carter Money laundering, using false Around 250 4 years 
			  L.V. Linuza HO documents to provide workers  2 years 9 months(52) 
			  V. Kulish   2 years 9 months(52) 
			  D. Lyashkov   3 years(52) 
			 February 2005 V. Solomka Money laundering and facilitating illegal immigration Up to 700 7 years 
		
	
	(52)The court also recommended deportation on completion of prison sentence.

Gleneagles Summit (Security)

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate has been made of the cost of security for the G8 summit at Gleneagles.

Des Browne: I have been asked to reply.
	At this stage it is not known what the cost of security for the G8 summit will be.

Human Detection Equipment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Government have spent on human detection equipment at UK (a) airports and (b) ports in 200405.

Tony McNulty: The information is as follows.
	(a) There is no human detection equipment currently deployed by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) at UK airports.
	(b) During the period April 2001 to June 2004, IND has spent 11,862,000 on the deployment of New Detection Technology (NOT) at UK and overseas seaports. This includes Carbon Dioxide and Heartbeat detectors, Passive Millimetre Wave Imagers and Gamma Scanner technology. The deployment of NOT overseas has been successful in reducing illegal entry via such ports, detecting people concealed in vehicles prior to embarkation for the United Kingdom.

Identity Checks (Heathrow)

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 9 June 2005, Official Report, column 656W to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Mark Fisher), on identity checks (Heathrow), if he will make a statement on the results of the confidence testing process.

Tony McNulty: The IRIS system passed confidence testing in France on 28 January 2005. Installation at Heathrow Airport Terminals 2 and 4 (the operational pilot locations), has been followed by extensive and rigorous user acceptance testing over a four month period. This has involved the successful processing of over 200 staff at Heathrow (both enrolment and barrier crossing). The UK Immigration Service is fully confident that the systems offer an effective and secure border control.

LD50

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the evidential basis is for the permitted use of the mouse LD50 procedure by themanufacturers of (a) Dysport and (b) Botox; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: International and UK regulations relating to the safety and efficacy of medicines require the testing of botulinum toxin products at various stages of their processing, from harvesting through to marketing for use as a prescription-only medicine. The European Pharmacopoeia states that the potency of the toxin as a reconstituted product is determined by an LD50 assay in mice, the reference method, or by a method validated with respect to the LD50 assay. Unfortunately there is at present no accepted and validated alternative to the LD50 test for determining the potency of botulinum toxin at the production stage. The Home Office and all others, including the laboratories and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, concerned with conducting and regulating such testing are committed to moving to less severe testing procedures as soon as it becomes practicable to do so. The laboratories involved in ensuring that botulinum toxin products are safe for therapeutic use, the only use for which animal tests are licensed, are already gaining expertise in non-animal methods.

LD50

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for theHome Department what recent assessment he has made of alternatives to the use of the mouse LD50 procedure.

Andy Burnham: The mouse LD50 test is used to determine potency, for example, of botulinum neurotoxins used for the medical treatment of patients with certain neurological and other conditions. We pay close attention to technical progress in the field of alternatives and are aware that refined and replacement tests for the LD50 have been developed. Once they have been validated and published in the European Pharmacopoeia as alternatives to the mouse LD50 test, we will stop licensing the mouse LD50 test for this purpose, except where there is specific scientific justification for its continued use.

Magic Mushrooms

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with people and organisations outside his Department about possible risks associated with using magic mushrooms;
	(2)  what research his Department has (a) carried out and (b) commissioned to assess the risks of using magic mushrooms;
	(3)  whether he has sought the advice of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on the possible risks associated with using magic mushrooms;
	(4)  for what reasons magic mushrooms have been categorised as a class A drug.

Paul Goggins: Psilocin, the active ingredient of magic mushrooms, is a class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It is a powerful hallucinogen, placed by the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 in schedule 1, the highest level of control. Magic mushrooms are also already controlled as a class A drug under the 1971 Act if they have been prepared (e.g. dried) or are in the form of a product. Section 21 of the Drugs Act 2005 extends the existing classification to such mushrooms whatever form they are in. The Home Office discussed what is now section21 of the Drugs Act with the Department of Health, HM Revenue and Customs, the Crown Prosecution Service and the police. We maintain that it is already unlawful for magic mushrooms to be sold as a product. It has proved difficult to satisfy the courts on what constitutes a product, hence this clarification of the law. Section 21 is not a new control on a new substance and consequently it was not necessary to carry out or commission new research. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) was informed of the proposed change to the law on 6 December 2004. On 19 May 2005, the ACMD agreed the need for regulations to make an exception from the offence of possession in certain circumstances. The chair of the ACMD, Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, wrote to me on two June setting out the ACMD's support for the measures.

Motoring Offences

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions which have resulted in custodial sentences there have been for (a) drink-driving and (b) other motoring offences in each year since 1997, broken down by (i) type and (ii) gender; and what each figure represents as a percentage of the total number of convictions resulting in custodial sentences.

Hazel Blears: Information taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database on convictions and custodial sentences for drink-driving and other motoring offences by gender 1997 to 2003 (latest available) is given in the following table. Data for 2004 will be available early in 2006.
	
		Table G findings of guilt and sentence of immediate custody(53) at all courts for motoring offences, England and Wales, 2003 -- Number of offences
		
			  Male 
			 Offence Total findings of guilt Immediate custody Percentage 
		
		
			 Driving etc after consuming alcohol or taking drugs:
			 Unfit to drive through drink or drugs (impairment) 2,031 331 16 
			 Driving with alcohol in the blood above the prescribed limit 69,233 4,591 7 
			 Driving and failing to provide specimen for analysis (breath, blood or urine) 8,199 1,015 12 
			 In charge of a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs (impairment) 416 45 11 
			 In charge of motor vehicle, with alcohol in the blood above the prescribed limit 1,730 79 5 
			 In charge of motor vehicle, and failing to provide specimen for analysis (breath, blood or urine) 868 75 9 
			 Other motoring offences:
			 Causing death by dangerous driving 254 238 94 
			 Causing death by careless driving under influence of drink or drugs 62 61 98 
			 Causing death by aggravated vehicle taking 11 9 82 
			 Causing bodily harm 21 11 52 
			 Dangerous driving 6,531 3,072 47 
			 Failing to stop after accident, etc 8,971 445 5 
			 Failing to report accident within 24 hours 5,540 141 3 
			 Failing to give name and address after an accident 356 15 4 
			 Aggravated vehicle takingdriving dangerously, causing injury or damage 5,385 1,788 33 
			 Aggravated vehicle takingcriminal damage of 5,000 or under 1,947 479 25 
			 Unauthorised taking or the theft of a motor vehicle 14,045 4,104 29 
			 Theft of a motor vehicle 2,148 1,030 48 
			 Driving while disqualified 53,206 24,735 46 
			 Driving after false declaration as to physical fitness etc 19 4 21 
			 Other driving licence related offences (excluding forgery) 3,234 3 0 
			 Fraud and forgerydriving licence 182 7 4 
			 Fraud and forgeryinsurance certificate 639 7 1 
			 Fraud and forgeryregistration and licensing 5,186 34 1 
			 Fraud and forgerywork record 860 48 6 
			 Fraud and forgeryoperator's licence 35 2 6 
			 Other offences of neglect of traffic directions 6,688 1 0 
			 Failing to give name and address etc when required 1,845 14 1 
		
	
	
		Number of offences
		
			  Female 
			 Offence Total findings of guilt Immediate custody Percentage 
		
		
			 Driving etc after consuming alcohol or taking drugs:
			 Unfit to drive through drink or drugs (impairment) 230 8 3 
			 Driving with alcohol in the blood above the prescribed limit 8,479 138 2 
			 Driving and failing to provide specimen for analysis (breath, blood or urine) 986 17 2 
			 In charge of a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs (impairment) 33 3 9 
			 In charge of motor vehicle, with alcohol in the blood above the prescribed limit 156 3 2 
			 In charge of motor vehicle, and failing to provide specimen for analysis (breath, blood or urine) 98 3 3 
			 
			 Other motoring offences:
			 Causing death by dangerous driving 18 8 44 
			 Causing death by careless driving under influence of drink or drugs 4 3 75 
			 Causing death by aggravated vehicle taking
			 Causing bodily harm 1   
			 Dangerous driving 257 56 22 
			 Failing to stop after accident, etc 1,209 10 1 
			 Failing to report accident within 24 hours 962 2 0 
			 Failing to give name and address after an accident 51   
			 Aggravated vehicle takingdriving dangerously, causing injury or damage 257 39 15 
			 Aggravated vehicle takingcriminal damage of 5,000 or under 101 9 9 
			 Unauthorised taking or the theft of a motor vehicle 737 113 15 
			 Theft of a motor vehicle 96 24 25 
			 Driving while disqualified 2,421 665 27 
			 Driving after false declaration as to physical fitness etc 2   
			 Other driving licence related offences (excluding forgery) 526   
			 Fraud and forgerydriving licence 18   
			 Fraud and forgeryinsurance certificate 34   
			 Fraud and forgeryregistration and licensing 462   
			 Fraud and forgerywork record 2   
			 Fraud and forgeryoperator's licence 1   
			 Other offences of neglect of traffic directions 573   
			 Failing to give name and address etc when required 194 2 1 
		
	
	(53)Immediate custody=detention and training order, young offender institution and unsuspended sentence of imprisonment.

Passports

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of (a) the efficiency of and (b) security arrangements for issuing passports by the Newport passport office; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The UK Passport Service is satisfied that the Newport passport office's overall performance in issuing over one million passports annually is effective, and efficient, and based on audits that its security and control arrangements are satisfactory.

Police

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) administrative staff there are in the Dyfed Powys constabulary.

Hazel Blears: The number of police officers in Dyfed Powys constabulary on 31 December 2004 was 1,169. This excludes staff on career breaks and maternity or paternity leave to enable comparison with previous years. The number of police staff not including community support officers and traffic wardens was 551.

Police

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the guidance sent by his Department to Hertfordshire police officers since June 2004; what the cost of providing the guidance was; and what the total number of pages was.

Hazel Blears: This information is not kept centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in the London borough of Haringey on 31 March; how many there were on 31 March (a) 2000 and (b) 1995; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Data for police service strength as at 31 March 2005 is due to be published this autumn. In 200304, there were 682 police officers in the Haringey Basic Command Unit. Data for 2000 and 1995 is not available centrally.

Police

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police stations have (a) closed and (b) opened in each police force authority area in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each police authority and the Chief Officer, who are responsible for assessing local needs. The ownership of police stations is vested in the local police authority, not the Home Office. Their use and disposal are a matter for local decisions.
	A full survey of police stations in each police authority area, closed or opened from 199293 to 200304, was undertaken in 2004. I have placed in the Library a copy of the results since 1997.

Police

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training new police officers receive in (a) typing and (b) IT skills.

Charles Clarke: At present, it is the responsibility of each local force to train new police officers in IT skills. Information on each force's training in typing and IT skills cannot be obtained due to disproportionate cost.
	IT training for new police officers is a requirement under the national curriculum of the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme, under which we are modernising the training given to new police officers. However, there are currently no plans to introduce requirements for forces to train new police officers in typing skills.
	There will be new IT training available in critical areas such as Airwave. Airwave provides modern, secure and efficient digital radio communications for the police service in England, Wales and Scotland. The clarity of voice transmissions and the ability to send instructions in text form aids speed and efficiency. Mobile data can help to reduce the burden of bureaucracy on police officers and enable them to spend more time out on patrol.

Police

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police community support officers are registered on the police DNA elimination database.

Charles Clarke: On 21 June 2005 there are 84,394 records on the police elimination database (RED). No central record is maintained of the number of police staff, including community support officers, who have been included. Since April 2003, all new police recruits have been required to provide a sample for the RED.

Retail Crime Initiative (Hemel Hempstead)

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment his Department will make of the Hemel Hempstead Shopwatch scheme as a model for implementation in other parts of the country;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Retail Crime Initiative in Hemel Hempstead; how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions have resulted from the initiative; and what budget has been provided.

Hazel Blears: Hemel Hempstead Retail Crime Initiative was awarded the Safer Shopping Award in September 2002, through the British Retail Consortium. This award, developed by the Home Office in co-operation with the retail sector, recognises partnerships that have a developed set of protocols and management procedures which comply with the laws around data sharing and issuing exclusion orders.
	We are committed to developing and increasing the number of schemes such as the Hemel Hempstead initiative. This is why we have given 899,000 to fund the setting up of an Action against Business Crime Group to develop 100 new town centre business crime partnerships across England and Wales to the same standard.
	No separate statistics are kept by Hertfordshire policerelating to prosecutions and convictions directly resulting from the Retail Crime Initiative and the scheme has not received any additional Home Office funds.

Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many students have applied to join the Science and Engineering Graduate scheme since its launch on 25 October 2004, broken down by courses defined by the JACS coding system; and how many have been refused.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 20 June 2005
	Since its launch on 25 October 2004, 1,990 students have applied to join the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS). Of these, a total of 110 applications were refused. We are unable to provide specific figures on SEGS applications broken down by the JACS coding system: this information is not held on the Caseworker Information Database (CID).
	Figures correct as of 19 June 2004 and rounded to the nearest 10.

Sectors Based Scheme

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the written statement of 23 June 2005, Official Report, columns 4749WS, on the Sectors Based Scheme review, if he will publish the evidence on which the decision to terminate the SBS hospitality quota was based; what assessment he has made of the effect of the decision on 'Indian restaurants'; and if he will meet urgently representatives of the industry to discuss those effects.

Tony McNulty: A report outlining the findings of the Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) review, including the basis of the decision to terminate the SBS hospitality quota, is being placed on Work Permits (UK)'s website. The effect of this decision on the ethnic catering industry was considered as part of the wider review. Home Office Ministers have meet representatives from this industry.

Sexual Offences

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the detection rate for (a) rape and (b) other sexual offences was in 200304 in each police force area in England and Wales.

Charles Clarke: The information requested is given in the following table. The Home Office are currently undertaking research to look in detail at detection rates in rape and sexual assault cases in England and Wales, including variation between forces.
	
		Detection rates for sexual offences 200304 -- Percentage
		
			 Police force area Rape(54) Other sexual offences 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 21 22 
			 Bedfordshire 21 41 
			 Cambridgeshire 15 30 
			 Cheshire 29 40 
			 Cleveland 31 51 
			 Cumbria 30 46 
			 Derbyshire 33 37 
			 Devon and Cornwall 19 33 
			 Dorset 17 31 
			 Durham 71 69 
			 Dyfed-Powys 25 46 
			 Essex 29 36 
			 Gloucestershire 28 35 
			 Greater Manchester 32 30 
			 Gwent 78 57 
			 Hampshire 34 36 
			 Hertfordshire 50 41 
			 Humberside 20 30 
			 Kent 27 29 
			 Lancashire 35 41 
			 Leicestershire 28 28 
			 Lincolnshire 28 41 
			 London, City of 0 44 
			 Merseyside 43 41 
			 Metropolitan Police 33 33 
			 Norfolk 18 38 
			 North Wales 29 42 
			 North Yorkshire 41 50 
			 Northamptonshire 37 52 
			 Northumbria 30 35 
			 Nottinghamshire 27 47 
			 South Wales 53 36 
			 South Yorkshire 38 38 
			 Staffordshire 32 41 
			 Suffolk 26 43 
			 Surrey 35 34 
			 Sussex 24 31 
			 Thames Valley 18 29 
			 Warwickshire 19 42 
			 West Mercia 35 41 
			 West Midlands 32 30 
			 West Yorkshire 31 32 
			 Wiltshire 41 37 
			 Total 31 35 
		
	
	(54)Includes rape of a female and rape of a male.

Student Visas

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which countries of origin students with student visas are required to report changes of residence; and how many such changes in residence were reported to each police centre where such reports are made in the last two complete academic years.

Tony McNulty: People who are given leave to enter or remain as students, and who are relevant foreign nationals for the purposes of Part 10 of the Immigration Rules are normally required to register with the police as a condition of their leave. They are also required to inform the police of any change of address.
	The countries or territories whose nationals or citizens are relevant foreign nationals for the purposes of Part 10 are listed in Appendix 2 to the Immigration Rules.
	Information about changes of address is recorded by the police force concerned. It is not reported to the Home Office, and information about the numbers of such changes could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Student Visas

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members there are of the task force considering student visa charges and requirements; and whether the task force will consider the present residence reporting requirements imposed on a number of countries.

Tony McNulty: 21 organisations are represented on the Joint Education Task Force announced on 7 February.
	The requirement for students of certain nationalities to register with the police arises from the police registration arrangements in part 10 of the immigration rules. The task force will not be considering changes to part 10 of the rules.

Unaccompanied Children

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the National Register of Unaccompanied Children to be operational; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The National Register of Unaccompanied Children was launched on 23 November 2004, at which time it was a working model for testing purposes and the establishing of a network of local authority contacts. It will be fully operational from 18 July 2005.

Unaccompanied Children

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unaccompanied child asylum seekers from Africa have arrived in each of the 33 London boroughs since 2001.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only by requiring individual local authorities to search their individual case records. There are currently 3,470 1 unaccompanied asylum seeking children supported by the 32 London boroughs and the Corporation of London. This compares to 4,220 1 in 2004.
	In 2002 there were 1,745 1 applications for asylum from unaccompanied asylum seeking children from Africa. Corresponding figures for 2003 and 2004 are 1,355 1 and 1,190 1 respectively.
	1 all figures rounded to nearest five.

Volunteering

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) spending has been allocated and (b) policy initiatives have been pursued to support the International Year of the Volunteer.

Paul Goggins: The National Centre for Volunteering, in consultation with the Home Office and key volunteering-involving organisations, agreed a structure for the delivery of the International Year of the Volunteer which took place in 2001. Those involved in the programme considered the Year to be a success. The Active Community Unit at the Home Office provided 297,229 core funding for the Year. 2005 is the Year of the Volunteer. The aims and objectives of the Year are to create awareness of, increase the opportunities for and encourage more people to get involved in volunteering. The Year of the Volunteer 2005 is owned by volunteers, led by a partnership between Community Service Volunteers (CSV) and the Volunteering England Consortium, and supported by the Home Office. The Volunteering England Consortium consists of Volunteering England, TimeBank, YouthNet UK, The Media Trust, Business in the Community (BitC) and Youth Action Network. The Home Office is investing 7.1 million in the Year of the Volunteer. The devolved Administrations are funding and hosting their own campaigns and initiatives to support the year and these differ in each country.
	
		Home Office investment into YV05
		
			   Policy initiatives Amount invested by the Home Office () 
		
		
			 Community Service Volunteers Principal Voluntary Sector partner delivering a range of activities, events, promotional materials and press and media coverage 1,000,000 
			 Community Service Volunteers To deliver a government employee volunteering scheme 500,000 
			 Volunteering England Principal Voluntary Sector partner working with a consortium to deliver a range of activities, events, promotional materials and press and media coverage 1,000,000 
			 Volunteering England To increase the capacity of local volunteer centres throughout England 3,000,000 
			 Volunteering England Small grants programme for other stakeholders who can contribute to achieving the objectives of YOV 2005 250,000 
			 Marketing/Communications Support Research and branding, publicity, partnership marketing and the YOV 2005 website (www.yearofthevolunteer.org) 250, 000 
			 Website and YOV 2005 evaluation support To develop and enhance www.yearofthevolunteer.org and manage project evaluation 100,000 
			 Media Trust For high-profile, multi-media consumer marketing campaign which aims to supercharge the year, raise awareness of volunteering and drive registrations of new volunteers 1,000,000 
			 Total  7,100,000

War Crimes

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 166W, on Nazi war criminals, how many personal files of alleged war crimes suspects have been examined by the police; how many names were on the list passed to the Metropolitan police earlier this year; when he expects the Metropolitan police to conclude the process of checking the list against material already in their possession and liaising with other Departments; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: A very large number of cases were examined and investigated, but to calculate the number of personal files examined by the police would involve examining 11,000 individual records, which would incur disproportionate cost.
	75 names were on the list that was passed to the Metropolitan police by my hon. Friend in January 2005.
	A dedicated team of Metropolitan police officers will be deployed to carry out the task of checking this list against existing material and liaising with Departments, but it is not possible to give an accurate estimate of when this work will be completed.

War Crimes

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2005, Official Report, column 296W, on war crimes, which other agencies he is working with; what lines of inquiry are being explored; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Other agencies that the Metropolitan police are working with include the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and the Office for National Statistics.

War Crimes

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2005, Official Report, column 297W, on Nazi war criminals, what the outcome was of the war crimes inquiry investigation into the 34 suspects to which he referred; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The war crimes investigation resulted in seven cases being submitted to the CPS. The CPS recommendation was for no further action to be taken in any of those seven cases.

War Crimes

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which overseas (a) law enforcement agencies and (b) voluntary organisations (i) his Department and (ii) the Metropolitan Police had discussions within the last eight years over tracing Nazi war criminals; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Home Office officials have held discussions with representatives from the Canadian, Australian and United States Governments about Nazi war criminals in the context of wider discussions on genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
	Representatives from the Metropolitan Police Service have had discussions with:
	(a) law enforcement agencies worldwide including Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Poland, Germany, Austria, USA, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Israel, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Sweden and New Zealand.
	(b) Voluntary organisations worldwide including various survivor groups traced through the board of deputies of British Jews, Yad Vashem Survival Memorial Organisation, Institute of National Remembrance, Poland and similar organisations in US and Canada.

Worker Registration Scheme

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's backlog of cases is for the worker registration scheme for nationals of (a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) Slovenia, (d) Slovakia, (e) Czech Republic, (f) Estonia, (g) Latvia, (h) Lithuania, (i) Cyprus and (j) Malta.

Tony McNulty: The published service standards of 70 per cent. of worker registration scheme applications cleared within two weeks of receipt (including payment processing) and 90 per cent. cleared within four weeks are currently being met or exceeded. There is no backlog. The number of cases awaiting decision is at a normal work in progress levels.

Worker Registration Scheme

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government plan to implement worker registration schemes for nationals of future member states of the European Union.

Tony McNulty: No decision has yet been made as to the level of access to its labour market the UK will offer nationals of any other state currently engaged in accession negotiations.

Working in Scotland Scheme

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how his Department defines an appropriate period in respect of the amount of time an applicant must have lived in Scotland for the purposes of the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland eligibility criteria.

Tony McNulty: The immigration caseworker or entry clearance officer considering the application will assess whether the applicant has spent an appropriate period in Scotland, based on the facts of each application. The guidance to them indicates for courses lasting one academic year, the student can normally be expected to have lived in Scotland for at least three months. Courses lasting two academic years, the student can normally be expected to have lived in Scotland for at least six months and courses lasting three academic years, the student can normally be expected to have lived in Scotland for at least 12 months. This guidance is publicly available on the Immigration Nationality Directorate (IND) website at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk and there is also a link to it from the Scottish Executive website.

Working in Scotland Scheme

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the eligibility criteria for the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme do not include post-graduate diplomas.

Tony McNulty: The scope of the scheme was drawn up in consultation with the Scottish Executive and drew upon the example of the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme, which was launched last October. Both schemes refer to undergraduate degrees, master's degrees and PhDs.

Working in Scotland Scheme

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets his Department has set for the (a) number of applications, (b) number of successful applications and (c) uptake of successful applications in respect of the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme.

Tony McNulty: We have set no targets for this scheme.

Working in Scotland Scheme

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he will publish the first set of figures on applications to the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme; and what data will be made available;
	(2)  how often his Department will provide information on (a) the numbers of applicants to the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme and (b) the status of the applications.

Tony McNulty: We have yet to finalise the timing or format of the information that will be published on applications for the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme.

Working in Scotland Scheme

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are in place to ensure that Fresh Talent scheme visa holders remain in Scotland for the two-year period specified in the scheme.

Tony McNulty: Participants in the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme will have already shown an interest in and commitment to Scotland by choosing Scotland for their studies. They have to have been awarded their qualification by a Scottish institution and also to have lived in Scotland for an appropriate period during their studies. During their stay, the Scottish Executive's Relocation Advisory Service will provide them with advice on a range of issues, such as finding suitable employment and accommodation in Scotland. If participants wish to remain beyond their participation in the scheme, they must apply for leave under the appropriate managed migration route. If they wish to stay on as a work permit holder, they will only be able to switch into the relevant category of leave if their work permit is for employment in Scotland.

Zimbabwe

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that Tafara Nhendu (Home Office reference M116 1492) is not deported to Zimbabwe.

Tony McNulty: Information on individual cases is confidential and cannot be divulged without the express consent of the individual concerned.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 184W, on academies, what role her Department plays in determining the sites of new academies;
	(2)  pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 184W, on academies, how parental demand is taken into account prior to the decision to site new academies;
	(3)  what role local education authorities play in deciding (a) whether new academies are to open and (b) the site of new academies.

Jacqui Smith: The location of Academies is determined on an individual basis taking into account historic educational performance, the level of deprivation in the area concerned, parental demand and the quality and suitability of each specific proposal. In agreeing new Academy proposals, my Department works closely with key stakeholders, including local education authorities, sponsors, Academy Trusts and groups representing parents' views.
	Local education authorities are required to consider the need for a new Academy as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme, and are strongly encouraged to engage with Academies where they can meet parental demand for school places. Local education authorities decide where to site the Academy, so that it serves the needs of pupils in the most deprived areas. Where an existing school is to be replaced by an Academy, the local education authority is under a statutory duty to consult on the closure proposals; and we actively encourage consultation with local parents where a new Academy is to be established.

Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department is taking to clarify the rules concerning admissions to academies for children with special educational needs.

Jacqui Smith: The Code of Practice for special educational needs (SEN) and admissions applies to Academies in a similar way as for LEA maintained schools. This means that pupils with SEN who do not have a statement are admitted to Academies in the same way as for maintained schools.
	For pupils with statements, LEAs retain the statutory responsibility and consult with Academies over the naming of a particular Academy in a statement. Once an Academy has agreed to be named, it is required to admit. Officials have provided both LEAs and Academies with guidance on how to make sure that procedures are clear, simple and in the best interests of the children. To complement this guidance, Academies have also had access to independent advice on SEN admission issues which has helped to support a range of positive working practices with LEAs and parents.
	Academies on average admit more pupils with SEN (with statements and not), than LEA maintained schools.

Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of city academies of independent provision within the state sector, with particular reference to their role as examples.

Jacqui Smith: As independent schools academies have flexibilities in a number of areas. On their effectiveness, the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) second annual report on academies found that:
	there is a 'significant difference in the learning culture in new academies, compared to their predecessors';
	90 per cent. of parents report that most pupils like going to the academy and that their children enjoy attending the school;
	97 per cent. of staff think that the principal really believes that the academy can make a difference to pupils' learning whatever their family background;
	academies are using their independence to adopt innovative approaches to the curriculum, staffing, teaching and learning and the timetabling.
	The programme is still in its infancy and, as PWC state, principals are concentrating on ensuring that the basics of school provision are in place. Academies will increasingly spread best practice and their lessons learned. For example, a number of academies have a specialist focus on business and enterprise, which is raising the profile of enterprise education nationally in their localities.

Academies

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will extend the requirement to register with the General Teaching Council to teachers in academies;
	(2)  what discussions she has had with (a) the General Teaching Council, (b) teaching unions and (c) others concerning the absence of the requirement for qualified teachers in academies to be registered.

Jacqui Smith: We have had correspondence with the GTC about the Council's concerns at the lack of requirement for Academy teachers to be registered with them. We have also answered a range of correspondence, from various sources, on this issue, including questions here in the Housebut have received no direct representation from teaching unions.
	Academies are registered independent schools. Like all independent schools, they are not bound by the legislation which requires teachers in maintained schools to register with the GTC. Academies are replacing some of our weakest under performing schools; it is right, therefore, that they are given the flexibilities and freedoms from bureaucracy to be able to take radical and innovative approaches to governance, staffing and the curriculum.
	That is not to say, however, that teachers in Academies will not be registered with the GTC. The vast majority of teachers within Academies have moved across from the maintained sector and will already be registered with the Council. We will continue to promote the unencumbered movement of teachers between schools and Academiesmost teachers are, therefore, likely to remain registered with the GTC. There would be little incentive for them not to do so.
	There is certainly no bar on teachers in Academies registering with the Council if they decide it is in their interest to do so. I can also confirm that many Academies have decided that it is right actually to require that their teachers should be registered. The Government will continue to encourage Academies to register new and existing staff with the Council.

Adult/Community Learning

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to encourage schools, including schools which do not fall under local authority control, to make their facilities available for use by the wider community.

Beverley Hughes: We have recently issued an extended schools prospectus, which sets out our expectation that schools will need to consult with parents, young people and the wider community on making the best use of their facilities to the community. We want all schools to enable pupils, parents, families and the wider community to access a core range of services by 2010. The core offer will include schools providing wider community access to ICT, sports, arts and other facilities including adult learning. The prospectus gives some helpful pointers to schools as to how to start developing services, including the need to consult with the wider community to ensure they provide services that meet local needs and demand. Schools can play an important role in supporting their local communities, on key issues such as poverty, community cohesion and neighbourhood regeneration. The prospectus is available on our Teachernet website, together with further guidance, practical advice and case studies. We are adding to this material all the time as work develops. We have committed additional funding to support schools in developing extended services. The Department has made approximately 160 million of funding available since 2003 and we will be making a further 680 million available over the 200608 period including 250 million that will go direct to all schools.
	The Department has also asked the National Remodelling Team to take a lead role in supporting local authorities and schools through the development of extended services, and we are also funding ContinYou to run the Extended Schools Support Service, to offer further practical help.

Adult/Community Learning

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her Department's priorities are for the provision of adult and community learning; and what targets have been set.

Phil Hope: The priorities for adult and community learning provided through local education authorities remain (i) to sustain a wide range of learning opportunities to gain skills for personal and community development and (ii) to provide opportunities for those who want a first step on the learning ladder before committing themselves to further learning leading to qualifications. There are no specific targets for adult and community learning.
	The Department for Education and Skills will shortly receive proposals from the LSC on the reform of the funding and planning arrangements for learning which does not lead directly to qualifications. This includes First Steps and Personal and Community Development Learning for Adults. The proposals will cover such provision both by local education authorities and further education colleges. The objectives of the reforms are: to maintain the safeguard for the continued availability of courses for personal and community development set out in the 2003 and 2005 Skills White Papers; to fund first steps learning on the same basis regardless of the provider; to ensure an equitable distribution of public funding between geographical areas; and a proper balance between public funding, and financial contributions by individuals.

Alcohol Education

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what resources her Department has given to schools for educating children about the effects of alcohol for the 200405 academic year.

Jacqui Smith: The Department supports schools in helping them decide which resources to choose when educating children about the effects of alcohol, for example through the resources referenced in the PSHE section of the Department's Teachernet website. However, it is up to individual schools and teachers to determine the resources that are appropriate to assist them in delivering this teaching, having regard to the needs of their pupils and local communities.
	The statutory national curriculum science order requires that all pupils should learn about the effects of alcohol and other drugs. The framework for Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) provides the context for developing drug, alcohol and tobacco education beyond this. Alcohol education in schools has an essential role to play in enabling pupils to develop their knowledge, skills, attitudes and understanding about alcohol.

Children's Commissioner for Wales

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what memoranda of understanding have been issued to address (a) issues arising from children in Wales appealing to the Children's Commissioner for Wales on non-devolved matters and (b) cross-border issues.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 30 June 2005
	The Children's Commissioner for England's remit is set out in the Children Act 2004. In line with the Devolution Settlements, the Children's Commissioner has the function of promoting awareness of the views and interests of children in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in so far as they relate to reserved matters.
	The existing responsibilities of the Commissioners in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are unchanged, and children throughout the UK will in the first instance be able to approach their local commissioner on any matter, devolved or reserved. Children will not be expected to know the intricacies of the various devolution settlements.
	We anticipated that the various UK Commissioners would draw up their own co-operation agreements appropriate to local circumstances but we have left them to act as they saw fit in this respect.
	The Children's Commissioner, Professor Al Aynsley-Green, has met with the other UK Commissioners and discussed this issue with them. His office is currently working on drafting a memorandum of understanding. The Commissioner is due to meet with the other Commissioners in August and ways of working together will be a key area of discussion.

Children's Commissioner for Wales

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what memoranda of understanding have been issued to ensure effective communication between the Children's Commissioner for England and the Children's Commissioner for Wales.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 30 June 2005
	The Children's Commissioner for England's remit is set out in the Children Act 2004. In line with the Devolution Settlements, the Children's Commissioner for England has the function of promoting awareness of the views and interests of children in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in so far as they relate to reserved matters.
	The existing responsibilities of the Commissioners in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are unchanged, and children throughout the UK will in the first instance be able to approach their local commissioner on any matter, devolved or reserved. Children will not be expected to know the intricacies of the various devolution settlements.
	Furthermore, the Children Act explicitly states that when the Children's Commissioner considers reserved matters, he must take account of the views of, and any work undertaken by the Commissioners in the Devolved Administrations. The Government have always emphasised that the UK Commissioners should be left to draw up any further co-operation agreements among themselves, in order that they could be made appropriate to local circumstances.
	The Children's Commissioner for England, Professor Al Aynsley-Green, has met with the other UK Commissioners and discussed this issue with them. His office is currently working on drafting a memorandum of understanding. The Commissioner is due to meet with the other Commissioners in August and ways of working together will be a key area of discussion.

Consultants

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the auditors' report on the use of consultants within her Department will be published; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Internal audit reports are produced for internal management purposes and are not published.
	As part of this audit, which was carried out jointly with the National Audit Office, a good practice guide on the engagement and use of consultants was prepared. This has been distributed to all divisions in the Department. A copy of this guide will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

Consultants

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what value for money procedures the Department uses when considering the use of consultants.

Maria Eagle: My Department uses the following value for money procedures when considering the use of consultants.
	Firstly, we undertake a process to establish the mostappropriate way of meeting a requirement. This includes a consideration of the options including using existing staff, fixed term appointments and secondees. Consultants will only be engaged when they can provide:
	specialist skills or expertise not available in house;
	additional skilled resource on a temporary basis;
	a broader perspective drawn from work with other organisations;
	an objective/independent change agent or facilitator; or
	an independent view of current issues.
	Secondly, if a decision is made to engage a consultant a further process is undertaken to establish the most appropriate way of selection. This may be through (a) a competitive tender, (b) selecting from either the Department's, Office of Government Commerce's or another Government Department's framework agreement, or (c) by single tendering where certain qualifying conditions are met. The conditions for single tendering are where:
	it is known (not assumed) that only one supplier can meet the requirement;
	the cost of open or selective tendering would exceed the potential for saving, e.g. based on the results of a recent tender exercise;
	the continuity of knowledge or synergy with previous work is an overriding consideration; or
	you have received an unsolicited proposal that contains ideas of concepts that you wish to use because it meets your needs, these ideas are the property of the tenderer and may be legally protected under intellectual property rights.
	In all cases proposals from consultants are systematically evaluated on a whole life cost basis with a view to obtaining best value for money using pre-prepared criteria. Evaluation looks at the economic, financial and technical capability of the consultant and includes among others, financial stability of the organisation, past experience, management structure, key personnel, ability to meet the requirement, level of quality and costs.
	As mentioned earlier my Department maintains a list of consultancy framework providers that have been tendered through the Official Journal of the European Union and which meets most of the external consultancy needs of the Department. These provide additional value for money savings through the competitive prices obtained during the competition and also by removing the administrative burden of each requirement being tendered separately. Office of Government Commerce and certain other Government Departments maintain similar lists.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of education maintenance allowances in increasing (a) participation and (b) attainment in (i) school sixth forms, (ii) sixth form colleges and (iii)colleges of further education.

Maria Eagle: The evaluation of the education maintenance allowance (EMA) was one of the most extensive ever undertaken. It was piloted in 10 areas and 11 control areas and involved following two cohorts of young people over a four year period. The results showed that EMA increased participation in further education among eligible 16-year-olds in the pilot areas by 5.9 percentage points. This is equivalent to 3.8 percentage points across the whole cohort nationally. The impact was highest among groups with previously lowest participation rates, particularly young men, those with moderate or lower attainment at age 16 and those from lower socio-economic groups.
	EMA was rolled out for 16-year-olds in all areas from September 2004 and will be fully rolled out for all 16 to 18-year-olds by 2006/07. The DfES and LSC are carefully monitoring progress and will be undertaking continuing work to assess the effectiveness of EMA. To date, EMA has been paid to a total of 296,000 young people, including 216,000 16-year-olds, which is over 99 per cent. of the numbers projected.
	Evaluation information is not readily available to show the impact of EMA on participation separately in school sixth forms, sixth form colleges and colleges of further education. However, the latest participation figures which were published today (SFR 27/2005) show that, in 2004, of the 73.3 per cent. of 16-year-olds in full-time education, 29.5 per cent. are in school sixth forms, 10.4 per cent. are in sixth form colleges and 27 per cent. are in colleges of further education. A further 6.4 per cent. are in independent schools or HE institutions. The increases, in particular over 2003 across different post-16 providers, are similar.

Education Services (Worcestershire)

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children who live in Worcestershire attend school in another local authority, broken down by local authority; and how many children in each school in Worcestershire live in another local authority.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested broken down by local education authority has been provided in the following tables. The information requested at school level has been made available to the House of Commons Library.
	
		The number and percentages of pupils residing in Worcestershire attending schools in other local authorities
		
			  Number of pupils Percentage of pupils 
		
		
			 Total number of pupils resident in Worcestershire 81,700 100 
			
			 Local education authority   
			 Worcestershire 78,107 95.6 
			 Warwickshire 1,512 1.9 
			 Birmingham 692 0.9 
			 Gloucestershire 443 0.5 
			 Solihull 377 0.5 
			 Dudley 274 0.3 
			 Herefordshire 97 0.1 
			 Shropshire 97 0.1 
			 Staffordshire 59 0.1 
			 Sandwell 20 (55) 
			 Wolverhampton 4 (55) 
			 Somerset 4 (55) 
			 Other LEAs 14 (55) 
			 Total pupils schooled outside of authority 3,593 4.4 
		
	
	(55)Denotes percentage of less than 0.05 per cent.
	Source:
	PLASC 2005 Provisional data
	
		The number and percentages of the school population in Worcestershire residing in other authorities
		
			  Number of Pupils Percentage of pupils 
		
		
			 Pupils attending schools in  Worcestershire 81,127 100.0 
			
			 Home authority   
			 Worcestershire 78,107 96.3 
			 Birmingham 1,188 1.5 
			 Dudley 616 0.8 
			 Herefordshire 307 0.4 
			 Shropshire 184 0.2 
			 Sandwell 150 0.2 
			 Gloucestershire 149 0.2 
			 Warwickshire 100 0.1 
			 Solihull 33 (56) 
			 Staffordshire 26 (56) 
			 Other LEAs 6 (56) 
			 Unknown/not given(57) 261 0.3 
			 Total residing outside of authority 3,020 3.7 
		
	
	(56)Denotes percentage of less than 0.05 per cent.
	(57)Residence of pupil unknown/not given
	Source:
	PLASC 2005 Provisional data

Entry to Employment Programme

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many young people are participating in the Entry to Employment programme; and how many are expected to be participating by the end of July.

Jacqui Smith: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom to Mr. John Mann, dated 1 July 2005
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question with reference to the number of young people who are participating in Entry to Employment (E2E) now and the expected number in July 2005.
	As at the end of April 2005, 24,467 young people were participating in E2E. I am able to report that over 30 per cent. of the participants declared themselves as having a Learning Difficulty or Disability and 19 per cent. as being from an ethnic minority background. This demonstrates that E2E is truly addressing the Government's inclusion agenda.
	In July we expect there to be a similar number of participants on E2E, indeed we would expect to maintain the programme at this level at least until July 2006. We have recently announced that the budget and funding rates for E2E have been increased by 2.5 per cent. support for 200506.
	You will also, I am sure, be pleased to note that since E2E was introduced in 2003 the percentage of young people moving into a job, training or education place has improved by 11 per cent. from 32 per cent. to 43 per cent.
	I hope these statistics reassure you that E2E is being maintained at the required level and that it is meeting the priorities the Government has set for it. Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the LSC.

EU Students

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many EU students she expects to attend higher education institutions in England in each year between 2006 and 2010.

Bill Rammell: Latest projections of EU student numbers are given in the table. These are subject to change, and projections for years after 2007/08 are not available.
	
		EU domiciled higher education students in English institutions1, 2
		
			 Academic year Headcount 
		
		
			 2003/04(60) 63,000 
			 2004/05(61) 76,000 
			 2005/06(61) 81,000 
			 2006/07(61) 85,000 
			 2007/08(61) 91,000 
		
	
	(58)Covers students studying at Higher Education Institutions and Further Education Colleges.
	(59)Figures are headcounts on a DfES whole year count basis, and are rounded to the nearest 1,000.
	(60)Estimated out-turn
	(61)Projection
	Projections for 2004/05 include students from the 10 Accession countries who joined the EU in 2004. Forecasts for later years include assumptions about new countries joining the EU.

Faith Schools

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects building to start on the new faith school in Everton.

Jacqui Smith: I am pleased to report that we are writing to the Archdiocese of Liverpool and the school to confirm that we are minded to approve the construction of the new school. This Department has yet to agree the design of the new school buildings and the precise level of funding, but it will be contained within the overall sum of 13 million allocated to three voluntary aided schools in the local authority's area. This confirmation will mean that the design work can proceed as soon as possible.

Family Resolutions Pilot Project

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many couples have been referred to the Family Resolutions Pilot Project since its inception; and how many have not been referred for reasons relating to domestic violence.

Maria Eagle: As of 24 June 2005, 48 couples have been referred to the Family Resolutions Pilot Project. The Pilot Project began in September 2004 but data gathering for evaluation purposes did not begin until 15 March 2005. Therefore it is not possible to give an exact figure for the number of couples who were not referred to Family Resolutions since it began for reasons relating to domestic violence.
	However, since data gathering began from 15 March 2005 I can say that, of the 71 couples not referred to the Pilot Project, 14 of these non-referrals were for reasons relating to domestic violence.

Foresters

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to promote the training and development of foresters.

Phil Hope: The Government have established a network of sector skills councils as strategic bodies to improve skills and productivity in industry and business across the UK economy. Lantra is the sector skills council for environmental and land-based industries and is working on a number of developments in trees and timber trades which include forestry. It has developed an apprenticeship in trees and timber and intends to consult on developing an advanced apprenticeship. It is also developing a wide-ranging Sector Skills Agreement for the sector involving a detailed assessment of skill needs and current training provision including forestry. Identifying and promoting business champions through case studies and providing careers information in the sector is another area of work being undertaken. Forestry is also one of the five priority areas in Lantra's development of a business competence framework for industries within the sector.

Foster Care

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were taken into care in each Government Office region in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004; how many of those children were aged under two years; and how many of those aged under two years how many were siblings of a child previously taken into care under the age of two years.

Maria Eagle: The figures requested are shown in the following table. Information on siblings of children looked after are not collected centrally.
	
		Children who started to be looked after in the years ending 31 March 2002 to 2004 by age(62)(5507970063)(64): England -- Number
		
			  Age on starting, year ending 31 March 
			  2002(65) 2003(65) 2004(66) 
			  Under two years Two years or over Total Under two years Two years or over Total Under two years Two years or over Total 
		
		
			 England 5,400 19,800 25,200 5,300 19,500 24,800 5,300 19,300 24,600 
			   
			 North East 370 1,210 1,580 330 990 1,330 350 1,110 1,460 
			 North West 850 2,910 3,760 790 2,690 3,480 880 2,700 3,580 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 670 1,820 2,490 700 1,970 2,670 640 1,680 2,320 
			 East Midlands 480 1,480 1,960 370 1,250 1,620 390 1,310 1,700 
			 West Midlands 650 2,300 2,950 620 2,360 2,980 610 2,010 2,630 
			 East of England 420 1,600 2,020 390 1,740 2,130 520 1,750 2,270 
			 Inner London 410 1,830 2,240 410 1,680 2,090 460 1,880 2,340 
			 Outer London 470 2,360 2,830 530 2,390 2,920 470 2,550 3,020 
			 South East 580 2,380 2,960 690 2,480 3,160 580 2,250 2,830 
			 South West 490 2,060 2,550 460 2,040 2,490 450 2,030 2,480 
		
	
	(62)Figures exclude children who start to be looked after under an agreed series of short term placements.
	(63)Only the first occasion on which a child started to be looked after in the year has been counted.
	(64)National figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Regional figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	(65)Figures are derived from the SSDA903 one-third sample survey.
	(66)Figures are taken from the SSDA903 return, which in 200304 covered all children looked after.

Foster Care

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were in external foster care of local authorities in each Government office region in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004.

Maria Eagle: The figures requested are shown in the following table.
	
		Children looked after at 31 March in a foster placement 2002 to 2004(67)(5507970068): England -- Numbers
		
			  Year ending 31 March 
			  2002 2003 
			  Arranged through agency(69) Arranged through LA(69) Total(70) Arranged through agency(69) Arranged through LA(69) Total(70) 
		
		
			 England 5,200 34,100 39,200 6,400 34,700 41,100 
			 North East 150 2,060 2,220 200 2,040 2,250 
			 North West 410 5,670 6,090 550 5,780 6,340 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 240 3,980 4,220 380 4,040 4,420 
			 East Midlands 130 2,620 2,750 130 2,640 2,770 
			 West Midlands 790 3,750 4,540 770 4,050 4,820 
			 East of England 440 3,160 3,600 550 3,370 3,920 
			 London 2,220 5,130 7,350 2,890 4,970 7,860 
			 Inner London 1,070 2,490 3,560 1,290 2,280 3,570 
			 Outer London 1,140 2,640 3,790 1,600 2,680 4,280 
			 South East 540 4,390 4,920 690 4,470 5,160 
			 South West 270 3,290 3,560 280 3,250 3,540 
		
	
	
		Numbers
		
			  Year ending 31 March 
			  2004 
			  Arranged through agency(71) Arranged through LA(71) Total(71) 
		
		
			 England 7,300 34,300 41,600 
			 North East 240 2,070 2,310 
			 North West 690 5,840 6,530 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 430 4,020 4,450 
			 East Midlands 270 2,460 2,730 
			 West Midlands 790 3,970 4,750 
			 East of England 640 3,470 4,110 
			 London 3,080 4,970 8,060 
			 Inner London 1,360 2,290 3,660 
			 Outer London 1,720 2,680 4,400 
			 South East 800 4,360 5,160 
			 South West 380 3,140 3,520 
		
	
	(67)Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements.
	(68)Regional figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. National figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.
	(69)Figures are derived from the SSDA903 one-third sample survey.
	(70)Figures are taken from the CLA100 return.
	(71)Figures are taken from the SSDA903 return, which in 200304 covered all children looked after.

Foster Care

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will establish a system for registration of private fostering; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The strengthened and enhanced private fostering notification scheme came into effect on Friday 1 July, as provided for in the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004. Before November 2008, the Government will form a view on the effectiveness of the new measures and whether a registration scheme should be introduced using powers under the Children Act 2004.

Functional Skills

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what pilot initiatives her Department has set up to test the teaching of functional skills in mathematics and English at GCSE level.

Jacqui Smith: There are currently no pilot initiatives established to test the teaching of functional skills in maths and English GCSE. We will be publishing an implementation plan for the 1419 reforms, including the functional skills in English and maths, in the autumn.

Further Education

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the proportion of black and ethnic minority students in (a) the London borough of Southwark, (b) Greater London and (c) England is in (i) sixth form colleges and (ii) further education colleges.

Bill Rammell: The information requested was contained in a letter from the Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to the hon. Gentleman dated 25 April 2005, and is reproduced as follows.
	
		Proportion of black and ethnic minority learners LSC-funded learners in further education and sixth form colleges, 2003/04 -- Percentage
		
			  Sixth form colleges Further education colleges Overall 
		
		
			 Southwark n/a 69.6 69.6 
			 London 66.5 53.2 54.0 
			 England 18.1 15.7 15.8 
		
	
	n/a=not applicable.
	Notes:
	1.Figures for further education colleges include tertiary colleges, but exclude specialist colleges.
	2.Figures exclude students whose ethnicity was not known/not provided (around 6 per cent. nationally).

Key Stage 3

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2005, Official Report, column 357W, on key stage learning, when the review of the key stage 3 curriculum will commence; and when it will report;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2005, Official Report, column 357W, on key stage learning, who will be leading the review of the key stage 3 curriculum;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2005, Official Report, column 357W, on key stage learning, whether a report will be published following the review of the key stage 3 curriculum.

Jacqui Smith: The Department asked QCA to undertake a review of the key stage 3 curriculum in March 2005. Planning and research have been in train since then, in anticipation of the review starting in September 2005. There will be initial advice to the Secretary of State following informal consultation early in 2007 with final advice following formal consultation in summer 2007. This will allow a full year for the development of guidance and continuing professional development for teachers and other staff before first teaching in September 2008. QCA will publish a report of the formal consultation.

Learning and Skills Council

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what account the Learning and Skills Council takes of cost pressures arising from higher than average local wage levels in allocating funding for post-16 provision; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what account is taken of high local wage and salary levels by the Learning and Skills Council in allocating funds to institutions providing further education.

Bill Rammell: As part of a development plan, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) enters into a funding agreement with each provider. The funding agreement sets out the funds for the provision of further education (FE) that the LSC has agreed to pay to the provider, and the education and training provision that the provider has agreed to provide in return.
	The level of funding is determined by the application of a national funding formula, and should reflect the directly incurred costs of efficiently delivered provision. As part of the funding formula, there is an 'area costs' element. This provides a funding uplift to reflect that in some geographical areas, higher salaries are needed to attract staff of a similar standard.
	Success for All, the strategy for reforming FE and training, makes clear that the Government's approach to pay is to enable local flexibility to meet local needs and to encourage a clear link between pay and individual performance, General FE colleges and sixth form colleges are autonomous institutions, and as such they negotiate their own pay and conditions of service with staff and their unions without Government involvement.

Literacy/Numeracy

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria are used to assess the functional literacy and numeracy of school leavers.

Jacqui Smith: The national curriculum sets out a clear, full and statutory entitlement to learning for all pupils up to the age of 16. It determines the content of what will be taught and sets attainment targets for learning. The programmes of study set out what pupils should be taught in each subject at each key stage, and attainment targets set out the knowledge, skills and understanding which pupils of different abilities and maturities are expected to have by the end of each key stage. Functional literacy and numeracy skills are embedded in the English and mathematics programmes of study.
	At key stage 4 (ages 1416) GCSE qualifications are the principle means of assessing attainment, including functional literacy and numeracy. The changes to the assessment of functional skills in English and maths GCSE, announced in the White Paper 1419 Education and Skills, will ensure that no one can get a grade C or better in English and maths without mastering the functional elements.

Literacy/Numeracy

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the differences in (a) assessment, (b) teaching and (c) content between the proposed tests of functional numeracy and literacy for school leavers and GCSEs in English and mathematics.

Jacqui Smith: The White Paper 1419 Education and Skills announced that GCSEs in English and maths would be revised to ensure that students cannot get a grade C or better without passing a functional skills unit. We are working closely with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and other stakeholders to develop the content, assessment and teaching of the functional skills units and how they will fit within English and maths GCSE. This work will build on the best aspects of the Key Stage 4 National Curriculum, Skills for Life and the current range of English and maths-related qualifications.
	It is too early to say what the differences will be from the current GCSEs in English and maths but we will ensure that a grade C or better at GCSE is a guarantee that young people have the functional skills they need for life, learning and work.

Looked-after Children

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of looked-after children aged under two years in each London borough experienced three or more changes of accommodation in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The figures requested are shown in the following table.
	
		Children looked after at 31 March aged under 2 with three or more placements in the year ending 31 March, 2000 to 2004(72)(5507970073)England -- Numbers and percentages
		
			  Number of children looked after at 31 March aged under 2 Number at 31 March aged under 2 with three or more placements in the year 
			  2000(74) 2001(74) 2002(74) 2003(74) 2004(75) 2000(74) 2001(74) 2002(74) 2003(74) 2004(75) 
		
		
			 England 4,700 4,700 5,000 5,000 5,200 1,200 790 810 720 640 
			
			 London 820 720 820 900 920 160 90 110 150 120 
			
			 Inner London 440 400 420 390 440 70 50 60 60 50 
			 Camden 30 20 30 35 30 0 0 0 0  
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Greenwich 55 45 50 30 50 15 5 10 15  
			 Hackney 25 40 40 30 45 10 10  10  
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 50 30 30 35 30 10  10  5 
			 Islington 40 35 40 35 35 10 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 20 30 10 5 15 0 0 0 0  
			 Lambeth 50 40 40 35 50 5 5  0 10 
			 Lewisham 40 20 10 25 45 10   0  
			 Southwark 65 65 55 35 45 5 15 5 5 5 
			 Tower Hamlets 15 30 50 45 45  0 10   
			 Wandsworth 15 25 30 45 35  5 5 10 0 
			 Westminster 30 20 30 45 25 5   10  
			
			 Outer London 380 320 400 510 470 90 40 50 90 70 
			 Barking and Dagenham 15 5 10 25 20 0 0  5  
			 Barnet 25 30 35 30 25 5   10  
			 Bexley 5  5 10 10 0 0  0 0 
			 Brent 30 15 30 45 30 10   5 5 
			 Bromley 10 15 20 35 30  0  10  
			 Croydon 40 30 35 45 35 10 0  0  
			 Ealing 35 35 50 40 25 15 5 10 10  
			 Enfield 10 20 10 35 25 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Haringey 40 30 10 20 40 10 5 0 5 5 
			 Harrow 15 5 5 15 15 5  0   
			 Havering  5 15 10 10 0 0 0 0  
			 Hillingdon 20 20 15 25 30  0 0   
			 Hounslow 15 25 25 25 35  0 0 10 5 
			 Kingston upon Thames 10 10 10 5 10 0   0  
			 Merton 10  20 20 15 0 0 0 0  
			 Newham 55 35 55 60 50 10 10 5 15 10 
			 Redbridge 5 10 5 5 10  0  0  
			 Richmond upon Thames 15 5  0 5  0 0 0 0 
			 Sutton   10 5 10 0 0 0  0 
			 Waltham Forest 10 15 35 50 35 0  5 15 10 
		
	
	
		
			  Percentage at 31 March aged under 2 with three or more placements in the year 
			  2000(74) 2001(74) 2002(74) 2003(74) 2004(75) 
		
		
			 England 25 17 16 14 12 
			   
			 London 19 13 13 16 13 
			   
			 Inner London 17 14 13 14 11 
			 Camden 0 0 0 0  
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Greenwich 24 15 20 50  
			 Hackney 38 29  30  
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 19  27  19 
			 Islington 29 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 0 0 0 0  
			 Lambeth 11 14  0 18 
			 Lewisham 19   0  
			 Southwark 8 19 12 17 16 
			 Tower Hamlets  0 18   
			 Wandsworth  29 25 23 0 
			 Westminster 20   23  
			   
			 Outer London 23 12 13 18 15 
			 Barking and Dagenham 0 0  22  
			 Barnet 25   27  
			 Bexley 0 0  0 0 
			 Brent 40   14 22 
			 Bromley  0  27  
			 Croydon 25 0  0  
			 Ealing 45 18 24 21  
			 Enfield 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Haringey 27 22 0 29 18 
			 Harrow 40  0   
			 Havering 0 0 0 0  
			 Hillingdon  0 0   
			 Hounslow  0 0 38 20 
			 Kingston upon Thames 0   0  
			 Merton 0 0 0 0  
			 Newham 18 25 12 21 17 
			 Redbridge  0  0  
			 Richmond upon Thames  0 0 0 0 
			 Sutton 0 0 0  0 
			 Waltham Forest 0  18 29 26 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.
	2.National figures over 1,000 have been rounded to the nearest 100. National figures under 1,000 and all regional figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Figures between 1 and 5 have been suppressed and replaced by a hyphen (-). All other figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.
	3.Figures have been derived from the SSDA903 one-third sample survey.
	4.Figures have been taken from the SSDA903 return, which in 200404 covered all children looked after.

Mathematics

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of mathematics teachers teaching in secondary schools have degrees in mathematics.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested has been published in table 24 of the Statistics of Education, School Workforce in England Volume, 2004 edition, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Alternatively it may be accessed at the following URL: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000443/index.shtml
	Table 25 of the same publication provides the proportion of subject periods taught by level of qualification.

Mathematics

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will ask the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to review the requirement for coursework in GCSE mathematics specifications.

Jacqui Smith: On 24 March, the Secretary of State wrote to Sir Anthony Greener asking the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to take forward work on a number of proposals in the 1419 Education and Skills White Paper. One of these was to consider scope for reducing the coursework burden across all GCSEs, including mathematics, with a view to ensuring that coursework adheres to principles for assessment set out in chapter 9 of the White Paper, summarised in the case of coursework in paragraph 8.12. She asked that the review address in particular: the need for a consistent approach to coursework in similar subjects; fairness; the cumulative burden of coursework; and that coursework should be used to test skills and attributes that cannot be tested by a terminal examination.

Mathematics

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students entered as candidates for mathematics (a) at GCSE or O-level and (b) A-level in each of the last 30 years.

Jacqui Smith: The following table shows the information readily available on the number of entries for mathematics at O-level or GCSE and A-level for each year between 1975 and 2004.
	
		O-level entries, GCSE candidates and A-level entries for mathematics in all schools and further education sector colleges, 19752004
		
			  O-level entries(72) A-level entries 
		
		
			 1975 309,901 69,759 
			 1976 325,727 73,682 
			 1977 352,727 70,606 
			 1978 357,418 73,281 
			 1979 381,424 79,412 
			 1980 395,254 80,881 
			 1981 413,822 87,446 
			 1982 433,164 91,550 
			 1983 440,917 92,858 
			 1984 444,639 90,688 
			 1985 452,778 87,682 
			 1986   
			 1987   
			 1988   
		
	
	
		
			  GCSE candidates A-level entries 
		
		
			 1989 528,580  
			 1990 490,260  
			 1991 471,410  
			 1992 460,391 66,395 
			 1993 452,773 62,616 
			 1994 479,084 60,607 
			 1995 522,290 58,796 
			 1996 537,759 62,181 
			 1997 533,992 64,209 
			 1998 526,882 64,435 
			 1999 536,779 63,584 
			 2000 539,934 60,808 
			 2001 563,852 61,305 
			 2002 568,851 50,421 
			 2003 585,017 51,426 
			 2004 605,980 53,530 
		
	
	Notes:
	A-levels:
	1.Figures from 1974/75 to 1976/77 are for England and Wales, summer examinations.
	2.Figures from 1977/78 to 1984/85 are for England, summer examinations.
	3.Figures from 1985/86 to 1990/91 are unavailable as these data were not supplied by the awarding bodies to the Department.
	4.Figures from 1990/91 onwards relate to schools and colleges in England.
	5.2004 figures are revised. All other figures are finalised.
	GCSEs:
	1.Figures from 1974/75 to 1987/88 are taken from the School Leavers Survey, and include school leavers of any age from all schools except special schools.
	2.Figures from 1985/86 to 1987/88 are combined for O-level and CSE and are not therefore comparable.
	3.Figures from 1988/89 to 1990/91 are taken from the School Examinations Survey, and are based on 15-year-old pupils in all schools except special schools.
	4.Figures from 1991/92 to 2003/04 are taken from the database on School Achievement and Attainment Tables, and are based on 15-year-old pupils in all schools including special schools.
	5.Figures from 1974/75 to 1984/85 are for O-level entries. Figures from 1988/89 to 2003/04 are for GCSE candidates.
	6.2004 figures are revised. All other figures are finalised.

Missing Children

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which local authorities have (a) established protocols for joint working across all agencies for children who go missing, (b) established a senior manager with responsibility to oversee these protocols and their implementation and (c) produced an annual strategic monitoring report on children who go missing from home or care, as set out in her Department's report Children who go Missing: Research, Policy and Practice.

Maria Eagle: The Department of Health published 'Children Missing from Care and Homea guide to good practice' with its related Circular LAC (2002)17 in November 2002. These were issued under Section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, which means that local authorities are obliged to follow their requirements, unless there are exceptional circumstances. The good practice guide requires that protocols for the management of 'missing from care' incidents are drawn up between the local authority and the police, that a senior manager is appointed to monitor these protocols and that there should be regular reports to council members with responsibility for corporate parenting on patterns of children going missing from care. The Guidance also suggests a similar model of protocols and a named manager for children missing from home.
	As part of the arrangements for performance management of local authorities, all local authorities in England were required to complete a Delivery and Improvement Statement (DIS) each spring, giving a self-assessment of their progress. From April 2004, the information provided by the DIS was returned to the Commission for Social Care Inspection and it provided part of the evidence base used to evaluate the performance of each local authority in delivering their services for vulnerable adults and children. In spring 2004, the DIS included questions about LA compliance with the Children Missing from Care and Home Guidance. The data on local authorities response to these questions indicated that 96 per cent. of local authorities had appointed a senior manager to monitor 'missing from care' incidents and that 88 per cent. of local authorities had protocols in place with the police for managing missing from care incidents.
	Data is not collected centrally on which local authorities have complied with the Children Missing from Care and Home Guidance, nor on local authorities which have produced annual strategic monitoring reports on children who go missing from home or care.

New Schools

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 492W, on building schools for the future (BSF), how much money has been set aside within the BSF budget for special schools.

Jacqui Smith: Funding is not set aside specifically for special schools within the budget for building schools for the future. We provide funding based on local authorities' statements of priority, which include any plans for special schools. Based on local authorities' latest statements of priority in waves one to three, the following allocations have been made for special schools.
	
		 million
		
			  Wave Allocation made for special schools With additional ICT funding 
		
		
			 1 97.7 3.2 
			 2 48 1.1 
			 3 62 1.6 
		
	
	These allocations include initial provision for construction inflation, but may be subject to change as local authorities' business cases for BSF are further refined and if local authorities make changes to the schools included within individual BSF waves. In addition, the allocations are before any potential uplift due to the introduction of the revised Building Bulletin 77: Designing for Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Schools, which is currently subject to consultation. Non-EU Students

New Schools

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the estimated income was from fees paid by (a) undergraduate and (b) postgraduate non-EU students in higher education institutions in England in each year between 1999 and 2004;
	(2)  what the total amount of fees raised from (a) undergraduate students and (b) postgraduate students attending higher education institutions in England was in each year between 1999 and 2004.

Bill Rammell: The available information gives data on the income received in respect of fees for students on courses for which fees are charged.
	Figures for non-EU overseas students are not broken down into postgraduate and undergraduate.
	The available figures are given in the table.
	
		Income to English HE institutions in respect of fees for students on courses for which fees are charged, academic year 1999/2000 to 2003/04 --  million
		
			  Home and EU domiciles Non-EU 
			 Academic year Postgraduate Undergraduate overseas domiciles 
		
		
			 1999/2000 420.1 1,187.5 583.1 
			 2000/01 438.0 1,248.1 649.0 
			 2001/02 487.5 1,310.2 763.4 
			 2002/03 530.7 1,415.4 950.5 
			 2003/04 546.5 1,506.4 1,121.5 
		
	
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Finance record
	Data in the answer cover all fee income, including short courses, self-financing full-cost courses funded by private/non-private sources in respect of all and only those students on courses for which fees are charged. This includes expenditure by Student Loans Company (SLC), Local Education Authorities (LEAs), Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), the Department for Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland (DEL), the Department of Health (DH) (including National Health Service (NHS), Workforce Development Confederations (England) and NHS Trusts), Regional Offices of the NHS Executive (RONE), the Scottish Home and Health Department (SHHD), and other sources not covered including individual students.

Prison Education

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 491W, on Prison Education, 
	(1)  how much has been spent on supporting Open University undergraduate courses for offenders in custody for each year between 200203 and 200405; and what the projection is for 200506;
	(2)  what the projected number of offenders in custody who will study (a) Open University undergraduate courses and (b) access courses is in 200506.

Phil Hope: The following table sets out the spend from the Department for Education and Skills offender learning and skills budget on Open University courses for offenders in custody since 200203, and the projected spend for 200506:
	
		OU courses
		
			  Funding () 
		
		
			 200203 100,000 
			 200304 249,000 
			 200405 379,250 
			 200506 1,048,550 
		
	
	The budget for 200506 is intended to support up to 1,300 opportunities for offenders in custody to commence study (1,050 new places on undergraduate and 250 Openings access courses) in addition to those offenders already studying and those who finance their own learning. Actual numbers taking up the opportunities will be affected by demand, and by operational considerations, including security.

Prison Education

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the Answer of 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 491W, on prison education, which subjects are covered by access courses; which service providers are employed to provide each one; and what proportion of prisoners who apply to participate in such courses are offered places on them.

Phil Hope: The entire suite of Openings (access) courses are available to offenders in custody, subject to Prison Service security considerations. The courses are provided by the Open University. Data is not collected centrally regarding the numbers of offenders in custody who apply for places.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list reviews of examination standards undertaken by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority since its establishment.

Jacqui Smith: The list of QCA reviews of examination standards is as follows. Access to the reports is available on QCA's website at www.qca.org.uk.
	QCA has carried out investigations of standards over time in the following areas. All reports are published on the QCA website.
	
		
			 A level  
		
		
			 Art and Design 197898 
			 Biology 197797 
			 Chemistry 199598 
			 Classical Subjects 197797 
			 Design and Technology 197999 
			 English Literature 199699 
			 French 197797 
			 General Studies 19802000 
			 Geography 19802000 
			 German 197696 
			 German 19962001 
			 Government and Politics 197696 
			 History 197696 
			 Mathematics 199598 
			 Physics 197696 
			 Physics 19962001 
			 Psychology 197797 
			   
			 GCSE  
			 Art and Design 197999 
			 Biology 197898 
			 Chemistry 197898 
			 Design and Technology 197898 
			 English 199598 
			 English 19982002 
			 English Literature 19802000 
			 French 197696 
			 French 19962001 
			 Geography 197696 
			 Geography 19962001 
			 German 197797 
			 History 197797 
			 Mathematics 199599 
			 Physical Education 197696 
			 Physics 197797 
			 Physics 19972002 
			 Religious Studies 197696 
			 Science Double Award 19952000 
		
	
	In addition, there have been reports on GCSE and Alevel biology, 1997/98 to 2003 and GCSE and A level chemistry, 1997/98 to 2003 and one looking across GCSE and A level business studies and economics, 19782003. Work is currently under way on A level computing/ICT, A level French, A level sociology and GCSE and A level mathematics, all looking at 2004 examinations in comparison with predecessors.

School Building Projects (Chorley)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school building projects will take place in 200506 in Chorley; and how much money has been allocated.

Jacqui Smith: My Department does not have this information, which is held locally. The bulk of schools capital funding is allocated by needs-related formula to schools and local authorities so that they can address their local priorities.
	Schools capital funding has increased from under 700 million in 199697 to 5.5 billion this year, and will increase further to 6.3 billion by 200708. For 200506, Lancashire and its schools have been allocated 38 million and this will rise to 43 million by 200708. Additionally, Lancashire has been prioritised in wave one of the Building Schools for the Future programme which starts this year.

School Bullying

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether schools are under an obligation regularly to review their school bullying policy.

Jacqui Smith: Under section S61 of the School Standards Framework Act 1998, head teachers have a legal obligation to ensure an anti-bullying policy is in place within their school and to publicise it annually.
	Our guidance additionally suggests that this policy is reviewed regularly through the feedback provided by staff, families, pupils and governors, enabling the policy to be updated and improved, if necessary.

School Leavers

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of secondary school pupils left formal education at the statutory permitted age of 16 in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: Estimates of the number and percentage of young people aged 16 who were not in full-time education in England in each of the last five years are given in Table 1. Many of these were in Apprenticeships or other training, so the numbers and percentages of young people in the age cohort who were not in any education or training are also shown in the table.
	
		Table 1
		
			  Not in full-time education(72) Not in any education or training 
			 End of calendar year Number (thousand) Percentage Number (thousand) Percentage 
		
		
			 2000 176 29.0 83 13.6 
			 2001 186 29.3 91 14.4 
			 2002 177 28.1 88 13.9 
			 2003 179 27.7 86 13.4 
			 2004(73) 176 26.7 85 13.0 
		
	
	(72)This group comprised of those who were in work based learning programmes; employer funded training; other education and training; and those who were not in any education or training.
	(73)provisional
	These estimates are snapshot information as at the end of the calendar year. They are taken from the Department's Statistical First Release (SFR 27/2005) entitled, 'Participation in Education, Training and Employment by 1618 year olds in England:
	2003 and 2004'.

School Meals

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had on implementing the Government's strategy for improving school meals; and how many of these discussions involved (a) trade unions and (b) staff who work in the school meals service.

Jacqui Smith: The Secretary of State and I have had conversations and meetings with a range of partners who have expressed interest in helping us improve school meals. The Secretary of State spoke at the Unison conference on 1 June and had a productive dialogue with members on issues affecting cooks and caterers. She met Jamie Oliver on 4 February and Sir Donald Curry, Chairman of the Sustainable Farming and Food Implementation Group on 22 June. I have recently had a meeting with Suzi Leather who is chairing the School Meals Review Panel and acting as interim Chair of the School Food Trust.
	We have asked officials to liaise with a wide group of stakeholders in drawing together and implementing the strategy for improving school meals. This group includes union representatives, local authority and primary care trust (PCT) officers, ConfEd, the Bursars' Association and the National Governors' Council, and has met once a month since February this year. A senior official met with the Workforce Agreement Monitoring Group, comprising of union representatives on 3 February to outline our emerging strategy.
	The School Meals Review Panel, which has met twice, includes a union representative, and several members work in the school meals service.

School Meals

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will require schools to comply with the nutrient-based standards for school meals published by the Caroline Walker Trust on 23 June.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has commissioned the School Meals Review Panel to review the nutritional standards for school meals. The new, draft guidance willbe available from September 2005, with the new standards mandatory from September 2006.

School Premises

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many temporary buildings there were on school premises in each London borough in(a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) 2005, broken down by (i)primary, (ii) secondary and (iii) special schools.

Jacqui Smith: The following table shows numbers of temporary buildings on primary, secondary and special school premises for each London borough. The figures are derived from data supplied to the Department by authorities in 2001 and 2003. No data were collected in 1997. New data have been requested at the end of this year. Not all temporary buildings are used for teaching. They may accommodate one or more classrooms.
	Central government capital support for investment in schools has increased from under 700 million in 199697 to 5.5 billion this year and will rise further to over 6.3 billion by 200708. Progress is being made year-by-year in improving the quality of the school building stock. The bulk of schools capital is now allocated by formula to authorities and schools so that they can address their local priorities, including the replacement of decayed temporary accommodation, on which we have set a high priority.
	Modern, high quality mobile or demountable classrooms provide a good environment for teaching and learning where there is short term need. They might, for instance, be needed to cope with a short term increase in pupil numbers, or where extensive remodelling or rebuilding of permanent accommodation means providing temporary accommodation on the school site, rather than transporting children elsewhere.
	
		Numbers of temporary buildings at primary, secondary and special schools in London boroughs
		
			  Primary Secondary Special 
		
		
			 2001 data
			 Barking and Dagenham 5   
			 Barnet
			 Bexley 123 80 3 
			 Brent 65 15 2 
			 Bromley 19 6 3 
			 Camden
			 City of London
			 Croydon 106 22 3 
			 Ealing 12 5 3 
			 Enfield
			 Greenwich
			 Hackney 20 9 3 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham
			 Haringey 2 5  
			 Harrow 121 19 3 
			 Havering
			 Hillingdon 56 41 6 
			 Hounslow 25 15 4 
			 Islington 2   
			 Kensington and Chelsea 3   
			 Kingston upon Thames
			 Lambeth 32 8 4 
			 Lewisham 28 3  
			 Merton
			 Newham 68 11 4 
			 Redbridge
			 Richmond upon Thames
			 Southwark 9 2  
			 Sutton 57 44  
			 Tower Hamlets 9 5 2 
			 Waltham Forest
			 Wandsworth 10 3 9 
			 Westminster 2 2  
			 
			 2003 data
			 Barking and Dagenham 7 3 1 
			 Barnet
			 Bexley 116 54 3 
			 Brent 52 16  
			 Bromley 19 6 3 
			 Camden
			 City of London
			 Croydon 88 20 3 
			 Ealing 84 22 11 
			 Enfield
			 Greenwich
			 Hackney 8  2 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham
			 Haringey 16 12 2 
			 Harrow 119 20 6 
			 Havering  2  
			 Hillingdon 51 33 6 
			 Hounslow 35 14 4 
			 Islington 8 2 1 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 3   
			 Kingston upon Thames
			 Lambeth 30 4 6 
			 Lewisham 26 5 1 
			 Merton 4   
			 Newham 45 9 2 
			 Redbridge
			 Richmond upon Thames 10 5 1 
			 Southwark 10 1  
			 Sutton 61 42  
			 Tower Hamlets 5 6 1 
			 Waltham Forest 12 5 2 
			 Wandsworth 10 3 9 
			 Westminster
		
	
	Note:
	Where no figures are shown, either no data have been supplied by authorities, or there are clearly significant data anomalies.

School Violence

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her Department's policy is on dealing with violence taking place in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

Jacqui Smith: Although the great majority of schools are safe and orderly places the Government take the issue of violence very seriously. We have made it clear that head teachers may permanently exclude pupils for violence even when this is a first offence. But it is even more important to help schools create an environment that reduces the risk of violence to an absolute minimum. To achieve that we have:
	given every secondary school access to high-quality behaviour management training materials and expert advice from behaviour management consultants;
	funded extra support for schools facing the greatest challenges through our Excellence in Cities and Behaviour Improvement Programmes;
	provided 120 million for school security improvements since 1997;
	given schools a legal toolkit on how to ban aggressive parents from the site and have them removed and prosecuted if they flout the ban; and
	helped to establish over 400 safer schools partnerships that base police officers in schools.
	In addition, we are:
	giving every primary school access to high-quality training and curriculum materials for developing pupils' social, emotional and behavioural skills and developing similar materials for secondary schools;
	developing specific violence prevention advice and training in collaboration with associations representing heads and other school staff;
	working with the Home Office on legislation to give heads the power to search pupils for offensive weapons; and
	asking an expert group of heads and teachers to consider what else could be done to promote discipline and a culture of respect in all schools.

Sixth Forms

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proposals she has received from learning and skills councils relating to school sixth forms referring to (a) closure, (b) reorganisation and (c) opening in each year since councils' powers were introduced.

Jacqui Smith: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received two reorganisation proposals relating to school sixth forms from the LSC:
	a proposal to close four school sixth forms in Haringey and open a new 1619 school, submitted in September 2004;
	a proposal to close six school sixth forms, one sixth form college and one general FE college in Hastings and Rother and to open a new general FE college delivering 1619 provision on four sites, submitted in February 2005.

Special Schools

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many proposals to close moderate learning disability special schools in the last eight years went to adjudication; and how many schools were subsequently closed.

Maria Eagle: Schools adjudicators are independent of the Department for Education and Skills. Details of the decisions they have made are published each year by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator in their annual report. Copies, for each year since the office was created in April 1999, have been placed in the House Library.
	The Office of the Schools Adjudicators (OSA) was established on 1 April 1999. To date adjudicators have considered 17 proposals to reorganise provision in 31special schools. Of these, 11 included proposals to close special schools catering for children with moderate learning difficulties (MLD). Adjudicators approved nine of these proposals, amounting to the closure of 13schools with provision for children with MLD.

Student Unions

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the responsibility of universities for student unions in respect of the implementation of race relations and diversity policies and legislation.

Bill Rammell: Universities are bound by equality and diversity legislation and it is the responsibility of their governing bodies to ensure that non-discriminatory practices are followed. With regard to race relations specifically, governing bodies of universities have a positive duty have due regard to the need to eliminate racism and to promote equality. This duty applies to all functions exercised by governing bodies, including their regulatory function in respect of student unions. There is also the specific duty placed upon governing bodies to have in place a policy for promoting race equality and to monitor its effect. The CRE has prepared guidance for further and higher education institutions on their duties under the race relations legislation. Government's approach to pay is to enable local flexibility to meet local needs and to encourage a clear link between pay and individual performance. General FE colleges and sixth form colleges are autonomous institutions, and as such they negotiate their own pay and conditions of service with staff and their unions without Government involvement.

Teachers

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary and junior school teachers, (b) secondary school teachers and (c) classroom assistants there were in (i) West Sussex, (ii) Kent, (iii) Durham and (iv) the East Riding of Yorkshire in each of the last eight years.

Jacqui Smith: The following table provides the information requested. Teacher numbers are not yet available for 2005 at LEA level.
	
		Full-time equivalent regular teachers (excluding occasionals) and teaching assistants: January 1998 to 2005
		
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Nursery/Primary 
			 West Sussex 2,760 2,830 2,800 2,760 2,810 2,870 2,760 n/a 
			 Kent 5,880 4,860 4,970 4,960 5,050 5,210 5,440 n/a 
			 Durham 2,060 2,110 2,090 2,150 2,160 2,150 2,090 n/a 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 1,070 1,090 1,130 1,150 1,150 1,200 1,170 n/a 
			 Secondary 
			 West Sussex 2,510 2,540 2,540 2,630 2,720 2,800 2,810 n/a 
			 Kent 6,650 5,510 5,810 5,850 5,750 5,730 6,270 n/a 
			 Durham 1,920 1,910 1,920 1,890 1,930 1,970 2,010 n/a 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 1,250 1,250 1,300 1,310 1,330 1,370 1,390 n/a 
			 Teaching Assistants
			 West Sussex 500 500 560 600 1,030 1,090 1,120 1,260 
			 Kent 2,040 1,780 1,980 2,210 3,090 3,480 3,730 4,180 
			 Durham 440 460 480 540 520 650 850 890 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 300 330 380 460 430 530 660 780 
		
	
	n/a=not available
	Source:
	Annual survey of teacher numbers and vacancies (Form 618g) for teacher numbers. Annual School Census for teaching assistants.

Teachers

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the qualifications approved for teaching in maintained schools under section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000.

Jacqui Smith: The qualifications approved for teaching in maintained schools under section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 are available via website at www.dfes.gov.uk/section96.

Training and Enterprise Council

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total value was of Training and Enterprise Council (a) assets and (b) cash reserves received by her Department; and how much of this was transferred to individual learning accounts.

Bill Rammell: The total value of (a) assets was 24,692,898 and (b) total cash reserves received to date 286,710,259. 123,872,849 was transferred to individual learning accounts.

Training and Enterprise Council

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which of the former training and enterprise council pension schemes have not yet been transferred to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme; what type of pension scheme they are; and how many members each has.

Phil Hope: Of the 72 TEC/CCTEs 33 operated final salary schemes which required action to be taken to enable them to transfer their accrued benefits into the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS).
	Of these 33, 24 participated in the industry-wide TEC National Pension Scheme, which in March 2001 had nearly 1,000 active members of whom 742 have now transferred their accrued pension rights into the PCSPS as active members. In addition, there have been 926 transfers into the PCSPS in the form of deferred pension rights. The remainder chose not to transfer their accrued benefits into PCSPS.
	The following table sets out the information on the remaining nine TECs with final salary-type pension arrangements. Information on the total membership of each TEC pension scheme in March 2001 was not routinely requested, as it was not strictly required in order to arrange a bulk transfer.
	
		
			 TEC/CCTE Number of active members for whom accrued TEC pension rights have been transferred to PCSPS(74) Number of deferred pensioners for whom accrued TEC pension rights have been transferred to PCSPS(74) 
		
		
			 North Yorkshire(75) 46 nil 
			 Tyneside and Sunderland(75) 130 nil 
			 Hertfordshire(75) 7 nil 
			 Northumberland 35 48 
			 Suffolk 47 25 
			 Greater Nottinghamshire 42 21 
			 Staffordshire 71 35 
			 HOETEC(76) nil nil 
			 Teesside 90 32 
		
	
	(74)In the time available, it has not been possible to verify that the above numbers include all late data amendments, but there were relatively few of these.
	(75)These TECs each participated in one of the local government schemes; as these schemes would not be wound-up, no transfer option was required for deferred pensioners.
	(76)Discussions with the independent trustee are ongoing with the objective of securing a bulk transfer to PCSPS. We understand that there are approximately 100 to 120 members.

Training and Enterprise Council

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason she appointed an administrative receiver to manage the affairs of the Heart of England Training and Enterprise Council.

Phil Hope: The Department for Education and Skills appointed an administrative receiver to expedite the conclusion of the outstanding financial affairs of the TEC.

University Admissions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the effects of making module grades of A level students available to universities as an interim measure before moving to a system of post-qualification application to university.

Jacqui Smith: We welcome and support UCAS's initiative (as set out in the 1419 Education and Skills White Paper) to make unit grades available to higher education institutions as a swift and practicable interim measure for universities to discern differentiation at the top end. We do so in the belief that it will provide universities with robust and objective information for choosing between candidates. The precise way in which the availability of that information will affect universities' offer making is a matter for the individual institutions and UCAS to determine. The results of the consultation process have not yet been made public. However the UCAS/Joint Council for Qualifications Working Group is now investigating the possible effects. The Working Group will meet again on 8 July to consider next steps.

University Graduates

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many university students graduated in each discipline in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: Information on qualifications obtained by students on HE courses is published annually by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Provisional figures for the 2003/04 academic year were published on 11 January 2005.
	
		First degree qualifications obtained by students on HE courses at HEIs in the UK by subject area, 1999/2000 to 2003/04 (thousand)(77)
		
			  First degree 
			 HESACODE subject area 19992000 200001(78) 200102(78) 
		
		
			 Medicine and dentistry 5.8 6.0 6.0 
			 Subjects allied to medicine 17.6 17.8 19.5 
			 Biological sciences 17.4 18.4 18.6 
			 Veterinary science 0.5 0.6 0.6 
			 Agriculture and related subjects 2.3 2.3 2.3 
			 Physical sciences 13.1 13.2 13.0 
			 Mathematical sciences 4.3 4.1 4.2 
			 Computer science 10.4 11.2 12.5 
			 Engineering and technology 22.0 20.6 19.8 
			 Architecture, building and planning 7.2 6.6 6.2 
			 Total science 100.6 100.7 102.7 
			 Social, economic and political studies 21.6 22.7 22.0 
			 Law 10.0 10.2 10.0 
			 Business and administrative studies 30.9 31.9 32.6 
			 Librarianship and information science 3.8 4.6 4.5 
			 Languages 16.0 16.6 16.6 
			 Humanities 10.4 10.4 9.9 
			 Creative arts and design 20.3 21.3 22.2 
			 Education 13.5 11.9 11.8 
			 Combined 36.6 34.9 33.1 
			 All subjects 263.7 265.3 265.3 
		
	
	
		
			  First degree 
			 JACS subject area4 200203(78) 200304(78)(5507970079) 
		
		
			 Medicine and dentistry 6.1 6.8 
			 Subjects allied to medicine 22.3 23.1 
			 Biological sciences 23.2 25.4 
			 Veterinary science 0.6 0.7 
			 Agriculture and related subjects 2.1 2.3 
			 Physical sciences 12.1 11.7 
			 Mathematical sciences 5.0 5.3 
			 Computer science 17.6 19.3 
			 Engineering and technology 18.8 19.1 
			 Architecture, building and planning 6.3 6.4 
			 Total science 114.0 120.1 
			
			 Social studies 24.5 25.9 
			 Law 11.4 12.2 
			 Business and administrative studies 38.7 40.1 
			 Mass communications and documentation 7.2 7.7 
			 Languages 19.7 19.5 
			 Historical and Philosophical studies 13.1 14.6 
			 Creative arts and design 26.1 27.8 
			 Education 9.3 9.2 
			 Combined 9.3 5.0 
			 All subjects 273.4 282.1 
		
	
	(77)The figures presented above include qualifications submitted to HESA by a reporting deadline; however this deadline has changed over the years. Details of reporting schedules are given in earlier Statistical First Releases. These changes are not thought to have affected the number of qualifications reported.
	(78)For 2000/01 and subsequent data collections, the figures exclude qualifications obtained by incoming visiting and exchange students. To enable comparison, there were approximately 500 first degree qualifications obtained by incoming visiting and exchange students not included in the figures presented for 2000/01. Also from 2000/01 dormant students are included in the above figures.
	(79)The 2003/04 figures above are provisional.
	(80)In 2002/03 the Joint Academic Subject Classification (JACS) replaced HESACODE as the basis for grouping by subject area. Although JACS and HESACODE look similar and are closely related, they are not by any means identical, and so are not directly comparable. It has accordingly been necessary for 2002/03 onwards to construct subject area definitions afresh in terms of JACS.
	The shift of numbers shown between 2001/02 and 2002/03 is largely attributable to the introduction of a new procedure of apportionment for dealing with students, notably those on combined/split programmes, rather than to the changes in the way subjects are classified. It can also be seen that improved reporting practice has led to further reduction in the numbers on combined programmes shown in 2003/04.
	Due to differing coverage, changes between 2002/03 and 2001/02 are not directly comparable.

Work Experience Schemes

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action her Department is taking to improve the evaluation of work experience schemes for school children.

Jacqui Smith: Work experience is increasingly important as part of our strategy to engage employers in supporting schools and colleges, but the issue raised is of an operational nature which is a matter for the LSC. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to my hon. Friend, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom to Mr. Boswell, dated 1 July 2005
	I write in response to your Parliamentary Question which has been referred to the LSC, in which you asked the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action is being taken by the Department for Education and Skills to improve the evaluation of work experience schemes for schoolchildren.
	Funding for Work Experience is delivered as part of the Education Business Links funding which local offices receive to further the links and understanding between businesses, employers, young people and staff teaching in schools. A significant amount of the total EBL funding supports the 95% of Key Stage 4 pupils who go on placements each year. The majority of these placements are delivered through partnerships between schools and their local Education Business Partnerships. The evaluation of these placements forms part of the contractual arrangements for funding. A number of other agencies; for example QCA and NEBPN are working to ensure quality standards in the delivery of work-experience placements providing resources and support for teachers and students in the evaluation of their experiences.
	I trust this is helpful.

Work-related Stress

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in her Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: My Department takes the health and welfare of all its employees very seriously. Systems and practices are being developed, in line with HSE guidance, to help prevent work related stress occurring and also to identify periods of absence that are connected with employment. This work is ongoing and is at nil additional cost to the Department as staff currently employed to take forward statutory requirements such as this are developing policy, systems and practices.
	In addition, we encourage the use of the Department's Employee Assistance Programme for counselling and information. Staff and their managers also use departmental occupational health advisers to provide advice on all areas where health may affect attendance and performance.
	My Department has no cases of work related stress to report, no days lost to work related stress and compensation has not been paid to employees for work related stress during the last three years.

Young Offenders

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many hours per day (a) 16 to 18-year-old and (b) over 18-year-old prisoners in each young offenders institution receive of (i) compulsory education, (ii) extra curricular education, (iii) sport and (iv) general exercise; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The Prison Service collects data on the time spent by prisoners held in each young offender and juvenile establishment on education and physical education on a weekly basis. Where both juveniles (aged 15 to 17 inclusive) and young adult offenders (aged 18 to 20 inclusive) are held within the same establishment, the Prison Service does not separate the data for the number of hours undertaken by each age group.
	Consequently, provision of a detailed breakdown by day for the age groups and by the specific categories requested could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
	The following table sets out the weekly average number of hours of education and physical education (PE) undertaken by offenders at each young offender and juvenile establishment in 200405.
	
		
			  Establishment Education hours PE services hours 
		
		
			 YOI Aylesbury 5.5 3.3 
			 YOI Brinsford(81) 7.9 3.7 
			 YOI Castington(81) 10.9 4.0 
			 YOI Coldingley 9.2 2.5 
			 YOI Deerbolt 8.3 3.7 
			 YOI Feltham(81) 6.3 4.2 
			 YOI Glen Parva 4.0 2.0 
			 YOI Lancaster Farms(81) 10.1 4.0 
			 YOI Northallerton 7.5 5.8 
			 YOI Onley 6.0 3.7 
			 YOI Portland 5.0 2.7 
			 YOI Reading 5.6 2.2 
			 YOI Rochester 4.4 2.9 
			 YOI Stoke Heath(81) 5.8 3.0 
			 YOI Swinfen Hall 7.8 3.5 
			 YOI Thorn Cross(81) 13.3 6.1 
			 Juvenile Huntercombe 8.7 4.5 
			 Juvenile Warren Hill 10.0 4.5 
			 Juvenile Werrington 15.5 7.3 
			 Juvenile Wetherby 9.2 2.8 
		
	
	(81)Establishments holding both juveniles and young adult offenders.
	Source:
	HMPS

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Altayib Ali Ahmed

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations on the case of Altayib Ali Ahmed sentenced to death in Khartoum.

Ian Pearson: Our embassy in Khartoum made representations, both bilaterally and through the EU, to the Government of Sudan on this case on 27 June. Following these interventions the Sudanese authorities postponed the execution.
	We are resolutely opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances, and raise these concerns with the Government of Sudan on a regular basis. The case also goes against the provisions of the N'djamena Cease-Fire Agreement of 2004 in which the parties agreed to release all prisoners of war and those detained in relation to the conflict. We will continue to follow this case closely.

British Council

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effect of the shift in status of the British Council from a non-departmental public body to a public corporation on (a) balance sheet departmental liabilities and (b) financial constraints under departmental expenditure limits.

Jack Straw: The reclassification of the British Council from a non-departmental body to a public corporation has no effect on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) balance sheet liabilities.
	The FCO's financial constraints under departmental expenditure limits (DEL) are unaffected by the British Council's change in status because the FCO's DEL was adjusted to take account of the change.

British Embassies

James McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total saving to his Department has been in each year since the British embassies in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador were closed.

Jack Straw: The British embassy in Honduras closed in December 2003 and the British embassy in El Salvador closed in August 2003. The British embassy in Guatemala City remains open and the UK's ambassador in Guatemala City is now the non-resident ambassador to Honduras and El Salvador. The British embassy in Nicaragua also closed in March 2004 and the UK's ambassador in Costa Rica is now the non-resident ambassador to Nicaragua.
	Since closing the embassies in Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua in Financial Year 200304, the annual net saving on running costs and staff salaries has been 958,000.
	The decision to close the British embassies Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua was based on the need to align our resources with our priorities, to maximise efficiency and ensure that the UK has a cost-effective and flexible network of overseas representation.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will answer the letter dated 19 May from the Right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mukhtar Ali.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied to the letter on 29 June.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Turkey concerning numbers and types of equipment of the Turkish Army in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: None. In assessing the military situation on the island, we continue to be guided by the assessment of the UN Secretary-General on the United Nations Operations in Cyprus. In his latest report of June 2005, the Secretary-General noted that there were no indications of an increase in defence spending on either side, nor of acquisitions of new major equipment. The Secretary-General further noted that the rotation of Turkish troops and their equipment did not imply a reinforcement and thus the number of Turkish troops and their equipment remained unchanged.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review his Department's advice to UK nationals considering purchasing property in occupied Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) keeps its travel advice under regular review. The travel advice for Cyprus, including the section on property, was most recently amended on 16 June, and is available on the FCO website: www.fco.gov.uk.
	We strongly encourage potential purchasers of property in Cyprus to take independent, qualified legal advice. The travel advice also explains that there are a number of potential practical, financial and legal implications, particularly for those considering buying property in the norththese relate to the non-recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the possibility of a future political settlement in Cyprus, and claims to ownership from people displaced in 1974. The advice also warns that there is a risk that purchasers would face legal proceedings in the courts of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as attempts to enforce judgments from the courts of the Republic of Cyprus elsewhere in the EU, including the UK.

Departmental Expenditure

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreignand Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of man hours required to fill in the Collinson Grant questionnaires on process activity in his Department was; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The amount of time spent completing the Collinson Grant respondent spreadsheet was not recorded so it is not possible to give a firm figure. The Collinson Grant project team estimated the time required to complete the spreadsheet would be approximately three hours based on the experience of a short pilot. There were 539 respondents.

Diversity Advisory Groups

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the role is of his Department's diversity advisory groups; what activities the groups undertake; what the cost was of each group in the last year for which figures are available; what publications each has produced; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has three diversity advisory groups administered by Human Resources Directorate: the Disability Action Group, the Ethnic Diversity Advisory Group and the Gender Advisory Group. The role of these groups is to advise Human Resources Directorate and the FCO Board on disability, ethnic and gender issues respectively. Each of these groups meets quarterly and is chaired by a member of the FCO Board. There are no costs for running these groups.
	The Disability Action Group aims to raise awareness in the FCO of disability issues, to suggest ways of increasing numbers of disabled staff and of meeting their needs, to provide support for disabled staff, to share best practice, to develop the FCO's action plan on disability and, through the Board Disability Champion, to contribute to the FCO Ministerial Group on diversity.
	The Ethnic Diversity Advisory Group aims to enable the FCO to benefit fully from the ethnic diversity of its staff, suggest and monitor activities to increase the number of staff from minority ethnic groups, review and develop the FCO's action plan on race and through the Board Champion on race to contribute to the FCO Ministerial Group on diversity.
	The Gender Advisory Group aims to suggest ways to improve representation of women, review and develop the FCO's action plan on gender and through the Board Champion on gender to contribute to the FCO Ministerial Group on diversity. The FCO Gender Advisory Group produced a booklet, Inclusive Government: mainstreaming gender into foreign policy, in June 2004.
	The FCO Lesbian and Gay Group (FLAGG) and the Ethnic Minority Action Group (EMAG) are run by staff, rather than HR. EMAG is a network of staff with an interest in minority ethnic issues, who wish to make an impact on issues relating to equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion. The group meets monthly. FLAGG is a staff support group for all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered staff

English Wine

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at which (a) receptions and (b) parties in overseas missions to celebrate the Queen's birthday in 2005 English wine was served (i) exclusively and (ii) on the request of guests; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: This information is not held centrally within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and research to obtain the relevant data would incur disproportionate cost.

English Wine

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much and what percentage of his Department's budget for (a) the UK and (b) missions overseas was spent on (i) English wine, (ii) French wine, (iii) wine from the new world and (iv) wine from elsewhere, in each of the last four years; how many cases of each type of wine were consumed in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: This information is not held centrally within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and research to obtain the relevant data would incur disproportionate cost. However, English wine is often served and appears to be much appreciated by those drinking it.

EU Diplomatic Staff

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many diplomatic staff are employed by the EU.

Douglas Alexander: According to European Commission sources, the majority of their overseas delegations have been full diplomatic missions since the late 1980s. There are approximately 1,000 Commission officials and 900 contracted experts working in the Commission delegations overseas and approximately 25 Council Secretariat officials working in the Council Secretariat offices in Geneva and New York.

G8 Summit

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much public money he estimates will be spent on hospitality at the G8 Summit at Gleneagles on 6 July.

Ian Pearson: The G8 Summit at the Gleneagles Hotel is a working event. The estimated cost of all catering for the 4,000 people, which includes delegates and media, attending the three days of the Summit is around 350,000.

Iran

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information the Government have received on the (a) circumstances of the arrest and (b) detention location of trade union and human rights activist Ebdal Karimi on 21 June in Isfahan, Iran; what representations he has made to the Iranian Government on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We have seen reports on the arrest and detention of Ebdal Karimi from an Iranian opposition group, whose information is often not reliable. We are seeking to verify the information, but have not yet been able to do so.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) size, (b) capability and (c) tactics of insurgent forces in Iraq.

Jack Straw: The nature of the insurgency is complex and disparate with many localised groups collaborating on a short term basis. The numbers of those participating in the insurgency remain unclear but while the greater part of the insurgency stems from Iraqi groups and individuals, evidence does not suggest a popular insurgency across the country. In recent months we have seen an increase in car bombs and improvised explosive devices used by the insurgents. These high profile attacks deliberately aim to cause higher numbers of casualties.

Joint Intelligence Committee

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which officials serve on the Joint Intelligence Committee; whether officials of foreign governments attend meetings of the Committee; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Members of the Joint Intelligence Committee are senior officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence (including the Chief of Defence Intelligence), Home Office, Department of Trade and Industry, HM Treasury and Cabinet Office; the Heads of Security Service, Secret Intelligence Service and Government Communications Headquarters; and the Chief of the Assessments Staff. Officials from other departments are invited as necessary. Representatives of the Australian, Canadian and United States intelligence communities also attend as appropriate.

Kosovo

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has received (a) via the UN and (b) from the President of Kosovo for UK military support to keep order during the final status talks on the future of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: None. Under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1244 (1999) and Annex 2 to the UNSCR, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) is responsible for establishing and maintaining security in Kosovo, not the UN.
	The UK contributes some 180 troops to the NATO operation in Kosovo. In addition the UK provides a battalion to the Balkans-wide over the horizon operational reserve force, along with Germany and Italy. Should NATO request the deployment of this asset to Kosovo the UK would respond accordingly, just as we did in March 2004 and March 2005.

Madagascar

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he proposes to close the British Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar; what net savings he expects; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: It is anticipated that the British Embassy in Antananarivo will close at the end of August 2005. We estimate that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will save 300,000 per annum on direct running costs and 265,000 in one-off savings from the sale of assets. There will also be staff and broader running costs savings.

Madagascar

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the current value of the small grants scheme in Antananarivo is; and whether it will continue after the closure of the British Embassy.

Ian Pearson: The Small Grants Scheme allocation to Madagascar for the financial year 200405 was 295,000.
	We are still considering the precise arrangements for this financial year. Once the Embassy closes, the Small Grants Scheme in Madagascar will not continue on the present basis. It would be inefficient and impractical to administer a large number of small schemes without the presence of an Embassy. We are however considering whether some projects could be run by the High Commission in Port Louis, which will cover British interests in Madagascar when the British Embassy in Antananarivo closes.

Madagascar

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for continuing to represent British interests in Madagascar after the closure of the British Embassy there; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: After the closure of our Embassy in Madagascar, our High Commission in Port Louis will cover British interests, supported by Honorary Consuls in Antananarivo and Toamasina. Our High Commissioner from Port Louis will be accredited as non-resident Ambassador to Madagascar. He and his staff will visit Madagascar on a regular basis.

Nigeria

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will make representations to the Nigerian Government to uphold its side of the Bakassi peninsula agreement with Cameroon.

Ian Pearson: We have made representations to the Nigerian authorities about upholding the International Court of Justice ruling on Bakassi. We maintain a close dialogue with both Nigeria and Cameroon on the completion of the demarcation exercise, and have urged both sides to continue to cooperate closely with the UN Mixed Commission to this end.

Nuclear Weapons (Africa)

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) possession and (b) development of nuclear weapons technologies in African states; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: My assessment is that no African country possesses nuclear weapons or is currently developing them.
	However, as the right hon. Gentleman will be aware, the former South African President, FW De Klerk, announced in March 1993 that South Africa had decided in 1974 to develop a limited nuclear deterrent capability, and that six of seven projected nuclear fission devices had been completed by the time it decided in 1990 to dismantle and destroy all the nuclear devices and accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). South Africa duly acceded to the NPT in July 1991, and its consequent comprehensive safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) came into force in September 1991. The IAEA subsequently conducted a number of inspections to verify the completeness and correctness of South Africa's initial report of its inventory of nuclear material. In 1993 South Africa also asked the IAEA to conduct visits to confirm the abandoned status of its former nuclear weapon programme. As a result of these activities, the IAEA concluded that it had found nothing inconsistent with the South African account of the programme.
	The right hon. Gentleman will also be aware that on 19 December 2003 Libya announced that it had shown US and UK experts the materials, equipments and programmes which lead to the production of internationally proscribed weapons, including centrifuge machines, and that it had decided to eliminate these materials, equipments and programmes. Libya has since acknowledged to the IAEA that it received documentation related to nuclear weapon design and fabrication from a foreign source as well as some pre-assembled centrifuge machines and many components for other such machines. The United Kingdom has strongly welcomed Libya's renunciation of these activities, as well as its conclusion of an Additional Protocol in March 2004 to its existing Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA, and strongly supports its continued co-operation with the IAEA.
	The United Kingdom is a strong supporter of the Treaty of Pelindaba, which seeks to establish a nuclear weapon free zone in Africa. We have ratified the relevant Protocols to the Treaty, and continue to call on enough states to ratify the Treaty for it to enter into force.

Peru

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effects on counter-narcotics strategies of the lifting of the by-law in the Cusco region of Peru legalising the growth of coca; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Peruvian Government reacted strongly to the recent announcement by the Regional President of Cusco to legalise coca cultivation in certain districts in the Department of Cusco. Although the Peruvian Prime Minister and the Regional President of Cusco have since come to an agreement not to expand legal coca cultivation in the Department of Cusco, we share the Peruvian Government's concern over the message which this announcement conveys about drugs misuse. We continue to co-operate closely with the Peruvian Government and other international partners to tackle drug trafficking from the region.

Sir David Manning

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2005, Official Report, column 1282W, on Sir David Manning, whether Sir David Manning declined or cancelled any other invitation, or engagement, to be able to introduce Mrs. Blair and attend her lecture in Washington on 6 June; whether he accompanied Mrs. Blair travelling to and from the lecture; whether the ambassador's official car was used for these journeys; and whether any staff of the British embassy in Washington were involved in organising Mrs. Blair's lecture or issuing invitations to it.

Ian Pearson: Sir David did not cancel or decline any other invitations to attend the lecture by Mrs. Blair on 6 June. He did not accompany Mrs. Blair to or from the lecture. He travelled on his own in his official car. No members of the British embassy were involved in organising the lecture or in issuing the invitations.

Special Advisers

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list (a) the special advisers in his Department, (b) their specific areas of expertise and (c) the total cost of employing them in the latest year for which figures are available.

Jack Straw: As at 29 June 2005, the special advisers in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and their areas of expertise are:
	Dr. Michael WilliamsUN, Human rights, Asia, Africa and the Balkans
	Mr. Mark DaviesCommunications and the EU
	All special advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers.
	On costs, I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Watts) on 22 July 2004, Official Report, columns 46670W.

Stranded Air Travellers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the ability of UK embassies and consulates to provide assistance to British citizens stranded overseas in the event of a major airline failure.

Douglas Alexander: British embassies, consulates and high commissions overseas have up to date plans for helping British citizens affected by all types of consular emergency. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office strongly recommends that UK citizens travelling abroad take out comprehensive travel insurance.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is currently considering the issue of financial protection for air travellers, including the possibility of extending statutory protection to all UK-originating flights.

Sudan

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan about British business interests in Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have had no recent discussions with the Government of Sudan on British business interests. We do, however, make clear to the Government of Sudan that progress in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a resolution to the conflict in Darfur, greater transparency in business dealings and a stable legal environment would be essential to encourage investment.

Tibet

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to support the Tibetan autonomy movement; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: Successive British Governments have regarded Tibet as autonomous while recognising the special position of the Chinese authorities there.
	We monitor developments in Tibet closely and regularly raise Tibet-related issues with the Chinese Government, including during our biannual UK/China Human Rights Dialogue, the last round of which was held in London on 6 June 2005. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised Tibet with Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao during the latter's visit to the UK in May 2004; my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised the case of a Tibetan prisoner during his trip to China in January 2005; and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Triesman of Tottenham) raised Tibet at the dialogue in June. We have made clear to the Chinese authorities that a long-term, legitimate and peaceful solution to the Tibet issue can be found only through dialogue and continue to urge them to engage with the Dalai Lama and his representatives.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospects for free and fair elections in Uganda, with particular reference to (a) the 1997 Movement Act, (b) the President's appointed Electoral Commission, (c) the state-funded Movement Secretariat, (d) funding for the opposition; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: To enable the elections due in March 2006 to be free and fair under a multi-party system, many legislative changes are needed. We have received assurances from the Ugandan Foreign Minister that these will be in place by the end of August 2005. To help ensure that the elections are properly managed we, together with other development partners in Uganda, are contributing to a basket fund to support the work of the Electoral Commission. We are aware of the constraints under which opposition parties are working, and have provided all the major parties with some support for capacity building. Meanwhile, we regularly urge the Government of Uganda to ensure that a level playing field for all parties is established in good time before the elections. On 24 June the Ugandan Foreign Minister told our officials that state funding will cease as soon as a multi-party system of Government is adopted.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Ugandan authorities regarding the return of (a) Dr. Kizza Besigye and (b) Dr. Apollo Milton Obote; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: We have had no discussions with the Ugandan authorities specifically about the return to Uganda of Dr. Kizza Besigye or Dr. Apollo Milton Obote. However, we do regularly discuss with Ugandan Ministers and officials issues of political rights. We make clear the importance of political change in Uganda carrying the genuine confidence of the people and their representatives, respecting the rule of law and institutions of governance, and being free from physical intimidation or manipulation.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with the Ugandan authorities regarding (i) the cost of the June referendum and (ii) the decision by the Forum for Democratic Change to boycott the referendum; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: Our officials in Kampala have frequently highlighted in discussions with the Ugandan authorities our concerns about the high monetary and time costs of the referendum in relation to alternative options. However, following the Government of Uganda's decision to hold a referendum, we have consistently urged all opposition parties, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), to take part, most recently in a meeting on 24 June. We are concerned that their decision to boycott the referendum risks undermining the democratic process, and will continue to press them to reverse this decision.

Zimbabwe

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to put pressure on Zimbabwe in relation to human rights.

Ian Pearson: We have redoubled our efforts to increase international pressure on Mugabe, raising Zimbabwe in capitals across Africa. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 22 June challenged all African Governments to address what is happening. We have also raised the issue with the UN Secretary-General and the UN Commissioner for Human Rights. We welcome Kofi Annan's decision to send a Special Envoy to Zimbabwe, and look forward to his report.

Zimbabwe

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government are making to the Zimbabwean Government regarding the recent ZANU-PF slum clearances.

Ian Pearson: We have made our condemnation of recent events in Zimbabwe clear. On 13 June my noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Minister for Africa (Lord Triesman of Tottenham) summoned the Zimbabwean charge d'affaires to the FCO to express the Government's outrage at the recent crackdown which has rendered hundreds of thousands homeless. Our ambassador in Harare has protested directly to both the Zimbabwean Vice President and the Minister of National Security. We have also raised our concerns with other African Governments and urged them to make their own representations to the government of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will make representations for Operation Murabatsvina to be discussed at the African Union Summit in Libya.

Ian Pearson: The agenda for the African Union Summit is a matter for the African Union. But we have made clear our hope that African governments will address the situation in Zimbabwe. My noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa (Lord Triesman of Tottenham) and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) will attend the summit on 4and 5 July and will make our views clear.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Adult Education

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have participated in adult education courses in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: The term adult education primarily refers to provision in further education colleges for those aged 18 years and over, as well as those undertaking adult basic education through Essential Skills courses and Learndirect. Total numbers of enrolments are as follows.
	
		
			 Academic year Total 
		
		
			 1997/98 117,060 
			 1998/99 115,022 
			 1999/2000 123,229 
			 2000/01 128,029 
			 2001/02 131,293 
			 2002/03 114,921 
			 2003/04 149,766

Breast Screening

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the take-up is of breast screening opportunities for women in the age categories for which the service is offered through the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: Currently breast screening in Northern Ireland is offered to women in the age group 50 to 64, with an interval of approximately 36 months between the date of a women's previous appointment and the date of their next offered appointment.
	For year end March 2004 the uptake rate among women within the target age group was as set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Board Percentage uptake 
		
		
			 Eastern 68.5 
			 Northern 82.8 
			 Southern 76.4 
			 Western 78.8 
			   
			 Northern Ireland 75.5 
		
	
	The uptake rate in the Eastern board area continues to fall behind that in the other three boards. Efforts are continuing there to improve the rate particularly among ethnic minorities and women with disabilities. Health professionals are collaborating in this with voluntary groups such as Action Cancer.

Cancer Deaths

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many women have died from (a) ovarian cancer and (b) breast cancer in each board area since 2000 in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The table gives the number of deaths registered in Northern Ireland of female residents in each health and social services board area in each year between 2000 and 2004, where the cause of death was recorded as either (a) malignant neoplasm of ovary or (b) malignant neoplasm of breast.
	In January 2004 the Regional Cancer Services Framework Steering Group was established to consider the future development of cancer services, including the treatment and care of people with ovarian and breast cancer. The group is expected to report in autumn 2005.
	
		Number of deaths registered in Northern Ireland
		
			  Malignant neoplasm of ovary Neoplasm of breast 
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Eastern 43 43 54 56 52 122 146 125 123 134 
			 Northern 16 28 28 41 35 80 72 58 78 81 
			 Southern 19 25 16 16 22 47 62 45 47 63 
			 Western 22 20 12 16 12 40 34 49 39 42 
			 Total 100 116 110 129 121 289 314 277 287 320

Care Homes

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for NorthernIreland how many (a) nursing homes and (b) residential homes in Northern Ireland charge top-up fees; and what the average top-up fees are in each case.

Shaun Woodward: For the cases under its care management, the Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) contracts with independent sector care home providers to meet the full cost of assessed care needs. Additional payments, sometimes known as top ups, should only be on the basis of clearly defined added value. The HPSS has no right of access to information about payments that are not part of its contracts with independent providers.

Clinical Negligence

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many clinical negligence complaints have been lodged in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and how many of those complaints have been resolved.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Consultants

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to issue guidance on effective commissioning for those in the public and voluntary sectors who are commissioning work from external consultants.

Angela Smith: The Department of Finance and Personnel has recently issued new guidance, on the effective commissioning of work from external consultants. This is in the form of a Dear Accounting Officer letter (DAO 03/05) and is applicable throughout the public sector. A good practice guide on Finance and Governance in the Community and Voluntary Sector, prepared jointly by Government Departments and the sector, will be launched on 19 July. This refers the Community and Voluntary sector to relevant guidance on procurement and puts in place arrangements for funding bodies to support the sector in applying relevant guidelines.

Electricity Costs

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average amount spent by each household in Northern Ireland on electricity was in the last year for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: The average household electricity bill in Northern Ireland for the year ended 31 March 2005 was 412.
	The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is continuing to work towards securing EU State aid approval of a proposed Government intervention aimed at reducing electricity prices. As an interim measure, 8.8 million of the available funding has been allocated to assist with energy efficiency measures which will have the effect of an average 1.5 per cent. reduction in electricity tariffs for all customers in the 200506 tariff year.

EU Presidency

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what activities and meetings are planned to take place in Northern Ireland in connection with the UK presidency of the European Union.

Angela Smith: Northern Ireland will host, on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions, the Informal Meeting of EU Employment Ministers in Belfast on 79 July 2005.
	Other events to be held will include: a meeting in Belfast of EU environmental attaches on 2427 July; a conference of EU paying agencies due to take place in Belfast on 1314 October; a conference on the creative industries being staged in Belfast by a private organisation, Creative Clusters on 26 October; and Opportunity Europe (26 September to 4 October), a programme of events designed to highlight the multiple links between Northern Ireland and the rest of Europe.

Free Bus Travel

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce free bus travel for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: Blind people and war pensioners already receive free travel and other groups of people with disabilities are entitled to half fare travel. There are no plans to extend the provision of free fares.

Freedom of Information

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 have been made to each of the Northern Ireland Government Departments since the introduction of the legislation.

Angela Smith: The following table sets out the number of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 made to each of the Northern Ireland Departments between the 1 January 2005 and 17 June 2005.
	
		
			 Department Number of requests 
		
		
			 Agriculture and Rural Development 134 
			 Culture, Arts and Leisure (82)535 
			 Education 70 
			 Employment and Learning 50 
			 Enterprise, Trade and Investment 33 
			 Finance and Personnel 202 
			 Health, Social Services and Public Safety 63 
			 Environment 393 
			 Regional Development 179 
			 Social Development 82 
			 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister 47 
			 Total (83)1,788 
		
	
	(82)Figure includes requests made to the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.
	(83)A further 98 requests for information were received by Northern Ireland Office (NIO) during the same period.

Further Education Colleges

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students there have been in colleges of further education in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: Figures for total enrolments per academic year in Northern Ireland further education colleges are only available from 199899. The most up-to-date audited figures available are for academic year 200203. These figures are set out in the following table.
	
		Total enrolments in the NI FE sector by Mode of Attendance from 199899 to 200203
		
			  Mode of Attendance 
			 Academic year Full-time Part-time (including non-voc) Total 
		
		
			 199899 26,992 156,296 183,288 
			 19992000 27,245 165,962 193,207 
			 200001 27,918 175,241 203,159 
			 200102 27,459 169,430 196,889 
			 200203 27,524 170,437 197,961 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Data is extracted from the Further Education Statistical Record.
	2.The merger of the Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College and the University of Ulster in 2001 is responsible for an approximate total enrolment decline of 3,000 between 200102 and 200203.

Health and Safety Inspections

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) planned and (b) unannounced health and safety inspections were carried out in each health and safety district in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: The number of inspections carried out by each district council is provided in the following table, for the years for which they are available. A breakdown between (a) planned and (b) unannounced inspections is not available.
	
		Number of inspections carried out by district councils
		
			  200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Antrim 155 122 110 
			 Ards 308 288 312 
			 Armagh 191 123 138 
			 Ballymena 427 425 394 
			 Ballymoney 58 48 61 
			 Banbridge 106 197 107 
			 Belfast 316 714 519 
			 Carrickfergus 62 35 70 
			 Castlereagh 135 166 168 
			 Coleraine 158 165 237 
			 Cookstown 49 47 26 
			 Craigavon 260 233 161 
			 Down 228 319 172 
			 Dungannon 83 24 40 
			 Fermanagh n/k 112 169 
			 Larne 48 83 91 
			 Limavady 108 133 94 
			 Lisburn 602 617 489 
			 Londonderry 328 310 514 
			 Magherafelt 50 91 60 
			 Moyle 32 24 34 
			 Newry 176 142 136 
			 Newtownabbey 265 127 147 
			 North Down 288 333 347 
			 Omagh 122 62 132 
			 Strabane 63 80 77 
			 Total 4,618 5,020 4,805

Health and Safety Staffing

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Health and Safety officials are employed in each health and safety district in Northern Ireland broken down by rank; and what the equivalent figures were in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The number of Officers authorised by District Councils under the Health and Safety at Work Order (NI) 1978, for the years for which they are available, are provided in the following table. Not all of these officers spent all of their time working on health and safety issues and therefore the full time equivalents are also given. Figures by rank are not available although officers will either be Environmental Health Officers or Senior Environmental Health Officers.
	
		Number of officers authorised by district councils under the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978 and their full-time equivalents (FTEs)
		
			  200102 200203 200304 
			 District council Number of Officers FTEs Number of Officers FTEs Number of Officers FTEs 
		
		
			 Antrim 3 0.9 2 0.8 2 0.8 
			 Ards 3 1.5 3 1.5 8 1.3 
			 Armagh 1.5 1.5 4 1.25 4 1.25 
			 Ballymena 8 2 8 2.25 5 3 
			 Ballymoney 4 0.16 6 0.35 6 0.36 
			 Banbridge 1 0.6 1 0.6 4 1.8 
			 Belfast 7 6 6.5 6.5 7 5 
			 Carrickfergus 1 n/k 1 n/k 2 0.4 
			 Castlereagh 6.5 1.2 5.5 1 1 1 
			 Coleraine 2 1 7 1 10 2 
			 Cookstown 3 0.5 3 0.33 3 0.33 
			 Craigavon n/k 1.5 7 2 7 1 
			 Down 2 1.5 3 1.8 8 1.8 
			 Dungannon n/k 1.38 0 1.38 n/k 1.38 
			 Fermanagh 5 1 5 1.2 8 1.8 
			 Larne 5 0.45 5 0.75 4 0.5 
			 Limavady 3.75 1.15 5 1.26 5 1.25 
			 Lisburn 9 2 9 1.2 11 1.2 
			 Londonderry 4 2.5 8 2 8 2 
			 Magherafelt 4 0.4 5 0.35 5 0.3 
			 Moyle 3 0.3 1 0.3 1 0.25 
			 Newry 2 1 3 1 1 0.7 
			 Newtonabbey 10 1.65 2 0.9 2 1.5 
			 North Down 1.5 n/k 2 1.5 2 1.5 
			 Omagh n/k 0.75 1 0.4 1 0.75 
			 Strabane n/k 1.05 n/k 0.97 1 1.05 
			
			 Totals 105 34.5 103 32.59 116 34.22

Human Rights Commission

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications were received for the post of Commissioner within the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, broken down by party political affiliation; how many applicants were short-listed, broken down by party political affiliation; and what the nationality was of each applicant.

David Hanson: 164 applications were received for the post of Commissioner.
	Applicants were not asked to confirm their nationality.
	Applicants were not asked to confirm their party political affiliation. As is standard in public appointments, applicants were asked on their application form to indicate whether they had undertaken any of the following activities during the past five years.
	Obtained office as a Local Councillor, MP, MEP, MLA etc.
	Stood as a candidate for one of the above offices.
	Spoken on behalf of a political party or candidate.
	Acted as a political agent.
	Held office, such as chair, treasurer or secretary of a local branch of a political party.
	Canvassed on behalf of a political party or helped at elections.
	Undertaken any other political activity which they considered relevant.
	Made a recordable donation to a political party.
	When a candidate indicated that they had undertaken one or more activity, they were asked to indicate the party for which the activity was undertaken. This is broken down as follows for all applicants:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Alliance Party 8 
			 Labour 8 
			 SDLP 6 
			 UUP 4 
			 NI Women's Coalition 3 
			 DUP 3 
			 Liberal Democrat 2 
			 Worker's Party 2 
			 Fianna Fail 1 
			 Green Party 1 
			 No activity indicated 126 
		
	
	87 applicants met the criteria required to be short-listed for interview. The political parties for which activities were undertaken by these applicants are broken down as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Labour 8 
			 Alliance Party 4 
			 SDLP 4 
			 NI Women's Coalition 3 
			 UUP 2 
			 DUP 2 
			 Worker's Party 1 
			 Green Party 1 
			 No activity indicated 62

Illiteracy

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many adults in Northern Ireland have been classified as illiterate in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: Research to date has focused on measuring levels of literacy and at present no data is available which specifically identifies the levels of illiteracy. The International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) which was conducted in 1996 indicated that 24 per cent. of the adult population in Northern Ireland performed at the lowest level of literacy, Level 1.
	Of those adults performing at the lowest level of literacy:
	20 per cent. were aged between 1625;
	16 per cent. were aged between 2635;
	21 per cent. were aged between 3645;
	43 per cent. were aged over 45.
	Since the launch of the essential skills for living strategy in October 2002 to March 2005, 28,965 adults have been supported to improve their levels of literacy and numeracy.

Kidney Transplants

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are awaiting a kidney transplant in Northern Ireland, broken down by health trust; and how long each patient has been waiting.

Shaun Woodward: There are currently 261 people waiting for kidney transplants at Northern Ireland hospitals.
	A breakdown of this figure by health trust is not available.
	Transplantation is very much dependent upon the availability of suitable donor organs which can be matched to the potential recipient. The average waiting time at present for a kidney transplant is 2.5 years.

Mackie's Site, West Belfast

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent by (a) Invest Northern Ireland and (b) other Government agencies and departments in respect of the road layout in the Mackie's site in West Belfast; when such works were ordered to begin; and who gave the authority for such work to begin.

Angela Smith: It is extremely difficult to make a meaningful separation of the roads element of this major civil engineering project which also includes earthworks, embankments and services. The total cost of the project is 2.7 million. The contractor was appointed on 30 March 2004 following ministerial approval for the project on 20 May 2003.

NHS Dentistry

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of people are registered with an NHS dentist in each board area in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: Information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		Percentage of persons registered with an NHS dentist by HSS board, May 2005
		
			  HSS board Percentage of persons registered with an NHS dentist(84)(5507970085) 
		
		
			 Eastern 52.0 
			 Northern 53.0 
			 Southern 55.0 
			 Western 44.0 
		
	
	(84)Figures are derived from dental registration data and the 2003 mid-year estimate of population (latest available from General Registrar Northern Ireland).
	(85)Figures are based on HSS board of residency of the patient.
	Source:
	Central Services Agency
	Registration with a dentist is entirely voluntary and in itself is not an accurate measurement of the numbers of people who receive dental treatment. However, the fact that someone is registered with a general dental practice and attends for check-ups means that they will benefit from oral health advice and problems can be picked up more quickly and before intervention is required.

Parade Application

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date the office of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland received the legal opinion about Parade Application Form 11/1.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Constable received the legal opinion about Parade Application 11/1 on 6 June 2005.

Paramedic Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he plans to introduce NHS car/motorcycle paramedic services in Northern Ireland as an alternative to the use of the traditional ambulance; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service currently deploys six rapid response vehicles manned by single paramedics to provide treatment in life-threatening cases until a conventional ambulance arrives to transport the patient to hospital if necessary. There are no plans to introduce a motorcycle paramedic service in Northern Ireland.
	The Department is currently considering the Department of Health's strategic review of NHS ambulance services in England, Taking Healthcare to the PatientTransforming NHS Ambulance Services published last week, which announces changes in the way ambulances deliver care in England, to determine to what extent its recommendations are relevant to Northern Ireland.

Rates Revenue

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total revenue from (a) the regional rates and (b) district rates in Northern Ireland was in each year since 2001.

Angela Smith: The following table shows the rate revenue generated from the regional rate and the district rate in Northern Ireland for each year since 2001.
	
		
		
			  Regional rate District rate 
		
		
			 200102 324,774,999 242,607,628 
			 200203 345,824,458 260,491,333 
			 200304 368,618,570 284,367,910 
			 200405 n/a n/a 
		
	
	n/a=Not available until October 2005

Restorative Justice Schemes

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on restorative justice schemes in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: Government have been working with local community restorative justice organisations to develop guidelines to enable the operation of an accredited community based restorative justice scheme. The scheme would enable local community-based initiatives to deal with low level crime, in line with the recommendations in the Criminal Justice Review.
	Guidelines will require the upholding of individual human rights, participation with criminal justice organisations including the police, accreditation and adherence to agreed standards.

Schools

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils resident in the Belfast Education and Library Board area have attended schools outside that area in each year since 2001.

Angela Smith: The information in respect of post-primary pupils is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200001 3,189 
			 200102 3,099 
			 200203 3,052 
			 200304 3,036 
			 200405 3,007 
		
	
	The information is currently not collected for primary schools or special schools.

Visually Impaired People

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are registered as visually impaired in Northern Ireland; what services are available for people who are visually impaired; what steps he is taking to improve provision; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety holds records of those who are blind and partially sighted who have been in contact with Health and Social Services Trusts. Latest figures available for 200304 indicate that there are: 2,273 people who are blind, 3,122 people who are partially sighted giving a total of 5,395 people who are either blind or partially sighted.
	New certification and registration procedures introduced in April 2005 will ensure that those with serious visual impairment are fast tracked towards relevant social services support within their Health and Social Services Trust. In addition there are comprehensive peripatetic low vision outreach services across the whole province. Other specialist services are available for children and special needs patients. There is also a network of sensory support teams, including social services, which regularly meet to discuss needs and future service delivery.
	Northern Ireland is also participating in clinical trials for new drug therapies for Age Related Macular Degeneration. It is thought that Belfast is the only United Kingdom centre for one of these trials. Queens University in Belfast is one of three centres in the whole of the United Kingdom that provides analysis of eye angiograms through a central angiographic facility. Data from this facility is used to inform state-of-the-art diagnosis for macular degeneration.
	The Department's Social Services Inspectorate launched its report Challenge and Change about services for adults with a sensory loss. That report will help inform service development of sensory services in the medium to longer term in both the statutory and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.

Waste Collection

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of collecting household rubbish per household in Northern Ireland has been in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: The information requested was not held centrally until 200203. The following figures reflect the cost per household of collecting household waste for the financial years 200203 and 200304. Information for 200405 is not yet available.
	
		Cost per household (NI)
		
			   
		
		
			 200203 33.51 
			 200304 34.63

HEALTH

Adverse Drug Reactions (Older People)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her most recent estimate is of the number of (a) 50 to 64-year-olds, (b) 65 to 74-year-olds and (c) over 75-year-olds who (i) died and (ii) were injured in a year as a result of adverse drug reactions.

Jane Kennedy: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's pharmacovigilance database does not hold specific information on the number of people who were injured as a result of an adverse drug reaction (ADR).
	The table shows the total number and number of fatal of suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports received via the yellow card scheme from 1 January to 31 December 2004 for each age group.
	
		Number of reports received via the yellow card scheme
		
			   Age (years)  Number of adverse drug reaction reports Number of fatal adverse drug reaction reports 
		
		
			 5064 4,017 180 
			 6574 2,727 143 
			 75+ 2,390 194 
		
	
	It is important to note that a report of an adverse drug reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the drug. Many factors have to be taken into account in assessing causal relationships including temporal association, the possible contribution of concomitant medication and the underlying disease. It is particularly important to note that causality has not been established for fatal reports.

Alliance Medical Ltd.

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors were taken into consideration when determining whether Alliance Medical should provide scanning services in the NHS.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 June 2005
	The contract was negotiated based on increasing clinical capacity, improving patient care, an ability to deliver service and value for money.
	Alliance Medical Ltd. demonstrated its ability to provide additional radiologists and radiographers to carry out the scans and reports, which was an important aspect to the procurement. The contract was secured at a competitive price compared to the NHS equivalent cost and makes use of 12 mobile scanning units to provide high quality services direct to patients in response to the changing requirements of the national health service.

Alzheimer's Disease

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures have been taken to assist carers of patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease in Hornsey and Wood Green; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: All carers, including those caring for people with dementia, are entitled to an assessment to determine their needs as carers and eligibility for support. This Government have supported legislation, which supports all carers in their caring role. The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 strengthens the rights of carers to an assessment of their own needs as carers. The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 introduces new provisions that will ensure that carers are made aware of this right.
	The carers grant, worth 185 million this year, provides money for local councils to provide short breaks and services to carers to enable them to continue in their caring role. Carers are also entitled to cash payments for carers' services to enable them to purchase the type of support they require and promote a better quality of life.
	At local level, Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust has worked with London borough of Haringey, service providers, the voluntary sector and carers to create a carer's strategy for Haringey. The strategy addresses the needs of carers of all types of patients and incorporates the requirements of the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 in terms of opportunities for work, education, training and life-long learning. An action plan, based on the recommendations in the strategy, is being finalised at present and should be implemented shortly.

Antipsychotic Medication

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were issued in each of the last five years for (a) atypical, (b) traditional and (c) all antipsychotic medication in each (i) region and (ii)health authority for (A) 0 to 15 years, (B) 16 to 59 years and (C) 60 years and over age groups.

Jane Kennedy: pursuant to the reply, 15 June 2005, Official Report, c. 499500W
	I regret that the table placed in the Library in my previous reply is incorrect. The total for the category aged 60 and over states 96,000 items were dispensed in 2003, and it should read 950,000.
	This incorrect figure was also given in the table in the reply to the hon. Member on 27 January 2005, Official Report, column 544W. The correct tables will be placed in the Library.

Arm's-length Bodies

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes outlined in the Department's Implementation Framework for reconfiguring its arm's length bodies, published on 30 November 2004, will require (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation.

Jane Kennedy: The changes outlined in the Department's implementation framework for reconfiguring its arm's length bodies will require legislation affecting the following bodies as shown in the table.
	
		Legislation required for reconfiguration of arm's length bodies
		
			  Legislation already enacted Legislation to come 
		
		
			 Bodies being set up   
			 Human Tissue Authority(86) Primary  
			 Health and Social Care Information Centre Secondary  
			 NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement  Secondary 
			 NHS Blood and Transplant  Secondary 
			 NHS Business Services Authority  Secondary 
			 Regulatory Authority for Tissue and Embryology  Primary 
			
			 Bodies being dissolved or merged   
			 Family Health Services Appeal Authority Secondary  
			 Health Development Agency Secondary  
			 National Clinical Assessment Authority Secondary  
			 NHS Information Authority Secondary  
			 National Radiological Protection Board Primary  
			 Public Health Laboratory Service Primary  
			 NHSU  Secondary 
			 National Blood Authority  Secondary 
			 UK Transplant  Secondary 
			 Dental Practice Board  Secondary 
			 NHS Pensions Agency  Secondary 
			 Prescription Pricing Authority  Secondary 
			 Dental Vocational Training Authority  Secondary 
			 National Biological Standards Board  Primary 
			 NHS EstatesTrading Fund Order winding up  Secondary 
			 NHS Logistics  Secondary 
			 Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health  Primary 
			 Merger of the Healthcare Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection  Primary 
			 Mental Health Act Commission  Primary 
			 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority  Primary 
			 Human Tissue Authority(86)  Primary 
			
			 Changes involving other bodies   
			 NHS Litigation Authorityamendment order Secondary  
			 National Patient Safety Agencyamendment order Secondary  
			 National Institute for Clinical Excellenceamendment order Secondary  
			 NHS Appointments Commissionadditional powers  Primary 
			 NHS Pensions Agencyadditional powers  Primary 
			 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory AuthorityTrading Fund Order amendment  Secondary 
			 NHS Directnew governance arrangements(87)   
			 NHS Professionalsnew governance arrangements(87)   
		
	
	(86)Human Tissue Authorityset up April 2005, to be absorbed into the Regulatory Authority for Tissue and Embryology in April 2008.
	(87)It has yet to be decided whether these changes will require any kind of legislation.

Cancer

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 26 May 2005, Official Report, columns 7677W, on breast cancer, what discussions her Department has had with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence since the Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Breast Screening study became available.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 28 June 2005
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) normally reviews its guidelines after three to five years to ensure that they continue to reflect the best available evidence. Should NICE be aware of any trials or research projects that are due for completion after the published appraisal, NICE will then bring forward the review date to coincide with completion of the trial or research.
	The NICE guideline on familial breast cancer noted that several magnetic resonance imaging studies would be reporting over the following two years, and that the recommendations in the guideline would be reviewed when the information from these studies became available.

Cancer

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of breast cancer patients lived for at least five years after treatment in the last period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Ms Lynne Featherstone, dated 30 June 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what percentage of breast cancer patients lived for at least five years after treatment in the last period for which figures are available.
	Information on cancer survival based on treatment dates is not available from registration information held centrally. Routinely available survival rates are calculated from date of diagnosis.
	The latest available survival rates for breast cancer in England are for adult patients (aged 1599 years) diagnosed during 19982001 and followed up to 31 December 2003. The five-year age-standardised 1 relative survival rate for female patients diagnosed with breast cancer during 19982001 2 in England was 79.9 per cent.
	The survival statistics are available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Productasp?vlnk=14007
	1 As cancer survival varies with age at diagnosis, rates have been age standardised to control for changes in the age profile of cancer patients over time.
	2 Complete five-year follow-up is currently only available for those diagnosed in 1998. For patients diagnosed in later years the most up-to-date estimates of shorter-term survival were used in this analysis of survival rates.

Cancer

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial resources are being made available in 200506 for (a) research into and (b) increasing public awareness of the causes of (i) lung cancer, (ii) prostate cancer, (iii) heart disease and (iv) cervical cancer; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is unable at this stage to predict 200506 spend by topic.
	Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Research active NHS organisations account for their use of the research and development allocations they receive from the Department in an annual report. These retrospective reports analyse expenditure by reference to some 16 national priority areas including cancer and coronary heart disease.
	The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) publishes a strategic analysis that provides a detailed overview of the cancer research in the United Kingdom that is directly funded by the NCRIs 20 partner organisations. The latest analysis can be found on the NCRI's website at: www.ncri.org.uk/crd/index.cfm? NavSub=10. This shows the proportion of expenditure on research under way on 1 April 2004 devoted to a number of tumour types.
	Smoking and tobacco use are major causes of a number of cancers and of coronary heart disease and the Department has an ongoing campaign using national media, helplines and support materials that increases public awareness of this. Some 41 million is being allocated to the campaign in 200506.
	Cervical cancer is caused by an infection that is nearly always sexually transmitted. The Department will launch a 50 million advertising campaign later this year promoting condom use and highlighting the risks from sexually transmitted infections.

Cancer

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on cervical cancer screening in the NHS.

Rosie Winterton: In 200304, 81 per cent. of eligible women in England had a cervical screening test result at least once in the last five years 1 . 3.6 million women were screened 2 and laboratories reported four million tests. 128,000 women were referred following abnormal results.
	Following an appraisal by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 2003, the cervical screening programme in England is currently being modernised with the introduction of liquid based cytology (LBC). LBC techniques offer a new way to prepare screening test samples for examination in the laboratory. NICE concluded LBC will reduce the number of unsatisfactory tests and improve the speed with which slides can be read. Due to a large retraining programme, full implementation is expected by 2008.
	The Government are also committed to speeding up the results of cervical screening, and officials are working on the best way of taking this forward.
	References:
	1 Department of Health Statistical Bulletin, Cervical Screening Programme, England: 200203 2 Department of Health Statistical Bulletin, Cervical Screening Programme, England: 200203

Cancer

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will investigate the Pan Birmingham Cancer Network's decision to place a moratorium on the use of a number of newly licensed cancer drugs.

Rosie Winterton: It is for individual cancer networks and primary care trusts to make decisions on the drugs they wish to make available to patients, taking into account the needs of the local population and, where appropriate, national guidance from National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
	We are putting record amounts of new investment into the national health service. Between 2003 and 2008, NHS expenditure in England will increase on average by 7.5 per cent., each year. It is for PCTs to decide how best to spend these resources taking into account local circumstances.
	In the case of recently licensed treatments, the Department has made it clear that funding should not be withheld because guidance from NICE is unavailable. In these circumstances, the Department expects PCTs to take full account of the available evidence when reaching funding decisions.

Counterfeit Medicines

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what actions the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is taking to tackle the distribution of counterfeit medicines through the supply chain; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps her Department takes (a) to advise patients about counterfeit medicines and (b) to educate patients to identify counterfeit medicines; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what action her Department is taking to tackle the (a) production, (b) import and (c) purchase of counterfeit medicines; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  what the estimated value of counterfeit medicines entering the UK supply chain was in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement;
	(5)  what discussions her Department has had with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs on counterfeit medicines; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The regulation of all medicines on the United Kingdom market is undertaken by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on behalf of Health Ministers. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department. Its primary aim is to protect public health through the control of medicines on the UK market. This is achieved through a licensing and inspection system, which assures medicines conform to agreed standards of quality, safety and efficacy, and further ensures that licensed medicines are manufactured, stored and distributed to maintain these standards.
	In August 2004, two counterfeit products, purporting respectively to be Cialis, an erectile dysfunction treatment, and Reductil, an anti-obesity treatment, were discovered in the legitimate UK supply chain. This is the first time in 10 years that counterfeit products are known to have reached the legitimate UK supply chain.
	Over 600 million prescriptions are written annually in the UK. Therefore these two discoveries of counterfeit medicines in the small numbers that reached the legitimate UK supply chain, prior to recall, needs to be viewed in that context. However, the MHRA takes each and every such case very seriously and full investigation follows discovery.
	The number of boxes of counterfeit Cialis, including part-boxes, that were returned following the MHRA recall was 2,300. Each 20 milligrammes (mg) box of four Cialis tablets is valued at 23.40 1 . The number of boxes, including part-boxes, of counterfeit Reductil that were returned following the MHRA recall was 61. Each 10mg box of 28 Reductil capsules is valued at 41.29 1 .
	The MHRA intelligence unit coordinates a comprehensive agency-wide anti-counterfeiting strategy to apply an array of measures to ensure that counterfeit medicines do not penetrate the UK medicines supply chain.
	This includes regular liaison with all stakeholders including Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and other law enforcement agencies on all manners of pharmaceutical crime. HMRC collaboration focuses on tackling importations of counterfeit medicines through its border controls. Another key area of such collaboration with HMRC includes joint meetings with the pharmaceutical industry to identify ways to collectively deal with counterfeit medicines.
	Educational aspects of the MHRA anti-counterfeiting strategy are primarily focussed on stakeholder education at a national and European level. The aim being to ensure that necessary procedures are in place throughout the supply chain to prevent counterfeit medicine penetration. Thus, a patient can confidently receive a safe, good quality and efficacious medicine through the regulated medicines supply chain.
	Educating patients to identify counterfeit medicines is considered counter-productive in that it could lead to the undermining of public confidence in the UK medicines distribution chain and perfectly safe treatment regimes. Also, potential checks by the public are likely to prove futile as most counterfeit medicines cannot be detected by the untrained eye and even trained personnel often have to rely on forensic laboratory testing to confirm counterfeits.
	The MHRA has launched an internet campaign to warn the public of the potential dangers involved with purchasing medicines over the internet where some, but not all, websites belong to unscrupulous vendors that sell counterfeit medicines. An education campaign is also being drafted to target those members of the public who purchase medicines through illicit means.
	1 Monthly Index of Medical Specialities (MIMS) June 2005

Dentistry

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in Hertfordshire have applied for personal dentist service contracts; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected by dentist but by dental practice. The number of dental practices that have applied for personal dental service contracts in Hertfordshire is 18, across the eight Hertfordshire primary care trusts.

Dentistry

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists undertaking NHS work there are in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley South Ribble primary care trust; and if she will list the practices which are taking new patients.

Rosie Winterton: Information relating to the numbers of dentists undertaking national health service dental work across Lancashire is shown in the table.
	
		General dental service (CDS) and personal dental service (PDS)number of dentists by primary care trust (PCT) at 31 March 2005
		
			 Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority (SHA)Lancashire PCTs All dentists 
		
		
			 Blackburn with Darwen PCT 60 
			 Blackpool PCT 57 
			 Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT 91 
			 Chorley and South Ribble PCT 81 
			 Fylde PCT 35 
			 Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT 54 
			 Morecambe Bay PCT 130 
			 Preston PCT 72 
			 West Lancashire PCT 54 
			 Wyre PCT 38 
			 Total 672 
		
	
	Note:
	The figures given by PCT and SHA include all dentists practicing in that area. Some dentists have an open GDS or PDS contract in more than one PCT or SHA and will, therefore, appear in the figures for each PCT where they practice.
	Local PCTs and NHS Direct are able to provide information about dental practices that are currently taking on new NHS patients.

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Dental Practice Board calculates the notional patient lists for personal dental services applicants.

Rosie Winterton: At the start of a personal dental service (PDS) arrangement the primary care trust (PCT) negotiates a patient list with the dental practice. The PCT then instruct the Dental Practice Board (DPB) to transfer the patient list from either an existing general dental service or PDS contract. The patient list is then amended from records supplied to the DPB by the dental surgery working in PDS.

Dentistry

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to increase the number of NHS dentists in Portsmouth.

Rosie Winterton: In 200405, Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust (PCT) received an allocation of 120,000 in dental access funding. Of this allocation, 60,000 was to support the development of personal dental service (PDS) agreements and provide an increase of up to 6,000 additional patient registrations. 23,400 was used to increase provision for unregistered patients needing urgent dental care.
	I am advised that Portsmouth City PCT has locally recruited three new dentists from overseas. The PCT is in negotiation with a number of practices, who wish to change to PDS and initial discussions have taken place with a view to a new surgery opening in Portsmouth.

Dentistry

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of providing NHS dentistry in Portsmouth was in each of the last five years; how the money was allocated; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Primary care provided by independent general dental practitioners (GDPs) forms the major element of national health service dental services. Most GDPs operate within the national terms of the general dental service (GDS), although some have opted to provide similar patient services under local contracts agreed with their primary care trust (PCT) as part of the recently introduced personal dental service (PDS). Under the GDS, the main costs are the individual treatment fees, including patient registration payments, payable to dentists. Under the PDS, dentists are usually paid a regular contract value for a defined level of NHS commitment. The gross cost of GDS fees and PDS contract payments in the area of the Portsmouth City PCT are shown in the table.
	The GDS is currently funded from a national non discretionary budget; local budgets are not allocated to specific areas, but payments are made purely in response to the treatment and service claims submitted by individual GDPs.
	Expenditure on community and hospital dental services is determined by the relevant local NHS body and expenditure on services in the Portsmouth area alone is not identifiable from data available centrally.
	
		Gross cost of GDS and PDS within the area of the Portsmouth City PCT --  million
		
			  Gross GDS dental fees Gross PDS payments Total 
		
		
			 200001 6.047 0 6.047 
			 200102 6.486 0 6.486 
			 200203 6.486 0 6.486 
			 200304 7.085 0 7.085 
			 200405 6.852 0.884 7.736 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Gross GDS fees include all adult and child treatment fees, continuing care and capitation payments, and commitment payments. Certain allowances and costs, such as reimbursement of business rates, seniority payments, and employers' superannuation contributions, are excluded.
	2.All costs are shown gross of any income contributed by dental charges payable by patients.
	3.Figures extracted from payment data held by the Dental Practice Board.

Dentistry

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions she has made for dentistry in Shrewsbury.

Rosie Winterton: Shropshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT) received 256,000 to improve access to dentistry.
	The PCT has developed a dental action plan, which was approved by the Department's dental support team in June 2004. Funding of a further 695,000 was also allocated to support the plan's implementation. The aim of the action plan was to deliver the capacity to provide national health service dental care for at least 50,000 more patients. Services are now in place to deliver care for almost 40,000 patients and other developments are in progress. For example, a primary care centre in Market Drayton will expand to include two dental surgeries in October 2005.
	In the PCT area, four practices have opened recently, two of which are in Shrewsbury. The two practices have a combined capacity for around 15,000 NHS patients. Of four existing practices in the PCT area that have expanded, one is in Shrewsbury and it will provide capacity for an additional 3,000 NHS patients.
	There has been a dental access centre in Shrewsbury since 1999. This was in the first wave of personal dental service pilots.
	Five Polish dentists were recruited as part of the first wave of overseas recruitment for Shropshire, two of whom are based in Shrewsbury.

Dentistry

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the contractual arrangements are for those dentists who are seeking to expand the numbers of NHS patients on their list by recruiting additional dentists to their practice, including from abroad.

Rosie Winterton: The contractual arrangements for a dental practice recruiting additional dentists to expand the numbers of national health service patients vary according to whether the practice is operating under general dental services (GDS) or personal dental services pilot (PDS) arrangements.
	Under GDS, a dentist or dental practice, which chooses to offer NHS services, register their participation with their local primary care trust and the Dental Practice Board and make claims for reimbursement for items of service performed in line with the statement of dental remuneration. If they choose to recruit an additional dentist to expand the numbers of NHS patients, the extra items of service performed for these patients would be included in the reimbursement claims made. As self-employed contractors, dentists are free to vary the extent of their NHS work as and when they choose.
	Under PDS, a dentist or dental practice who wishes to recruit an additional dentist to expand the numbers of NHS patients applies to their local PCT for a contract to cover the expanded NHS commitment. Local negotiations between the dental practice and PCT take place and when the proposed contract is agreed, it is referred to the national PDS team at the Department for approval under delegated powers from the Secretary of State.
	The criteria for approving PDS contractual arrangements are designed to encourage growth in NHS services. Once approved, the dental practice and PCT sign a contract, which specifies the nature and extent of the NHS commitment, usually in terms of a practice list, the contract value and agreed arrangements for variations to the contract conditions.

Dentistry

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many students there were (a) at the Newcastle upon Tyne Medical School and (b) the Newcastle upon Tyne Dental School in each of the last five years; and what plans there are to increase the numbers of students.

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
	The available information is given in the table.
	
		HE enrolments(88)on Medicine and Dentistry courses at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne(89) 19992000 to 200304
		
			 Subject/Level 19992000(90) 200001(90) 200001(91) 200102(91) 200203(91) 200304(91) 
		
		
			 Medicine   
			 PG 390 365 375 425 455 545 
			 UG 980 1,025 1,025 1,110 1,250 1,390 
			 Total 1,365 1,390 1,400 1,535 1,705 1,935 
			 Dentistry   
			 PG 35 35 50 65 65 60 
			 UG 355 350 350 370 360 375 
			 Total 390 390 400 435 425 435 
			 Total Medicine and Dentistry 1,760 1,780 1,800 1,965 2,130 2,370 
		
	
	(88)Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 hence constituent parts may not sum to the totals.
	(89)Figures for 200102 onwards include students on stage 1 of the Medicine and Surgery programme who are based at the University of Durham's, Queens Campus in Stockton.
	(90)Figures are on a snapshot basis as at the 1 December.
	(91)Figures are on a DfES whole year count basis which are not consistent with snapshot figures given for earlier years. The whole year count counts students at the end of the academic year and provides a more accurate representation of student numbers. Whole year count figures are not available for years before 200001.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student record
	The Department of Health and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) will be considering the potential for further expansion of medical student numbers, and the expansion of dental education, through the separate forums of the Medical and Dental Joint Implementation Groups.
	We are funding the biggest expansion of dental education since the inception of the NHS involving the creation of an additional 170 training places in dental schools. To support the clinical training costs of this 25 per cent. increase in capacity, the Department of Health has allocated revenue funds growing to 29 million recurring by 201011; and 20 million capital in each of the four years 200506 to 200809.

Domestic Violence

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has commissioned into the relationship between domestic violence experienced by children and post traumatic stress disorder.

Rosie Winterton: The Department with the National Institute for Mental Health for England has a major programme of research underway that will address the relationship between domestic violence experienced by children and post-traumatic stress disorder. This is being conducted as part of the victims of violence and abuse prevention programme launched by departmental Ministers in 2004. It includes an expert advisory group on child victims of domestic violence. Research conducted as part of the programme will build on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's guidelines on post-traumatic stress disorder, which identified examples of violence and abuse in childhood as predisposing factors in post-traumatic stress disorder for children.

Drug Rehabilitation Centres

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the drug rehabilitation (a) centres and (b) other facilities which are available to residents of Portsmouth.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on Tuesday 28 June 2005, Official Report, column 1503W.

Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust area referred urgently with suspected breast cancer waited for more than two weeks for an out-patient appointment in each reporting period since January 2002; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The information is not available in the format requested. However, information is available by hospital trusts local to Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust and is shown in the table.
	
		Number of patients with an urgent referral for suspected breast cancer, by waiting times from referral to out-patients appointment, for hospitals in the Haringey Teaching PCT area.
		
			  Number waiting 14 days or less 
			  RAP North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust RAL Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust RKE Whittington Hospital NHS Trust Total 
		
		
			 Reporting period 
			 200102 Q4 25 25 106 156 
			 200203 Q1 34 22 98 154 
			 200203 Q2 38 42 56 136 
			 200203 Q3 25 44 67 136 
			 200203 Q4 53 63 35 151 
			 200304 Q1 41 53 38 132 
			 200304 Q2 65 81 49 195 
			 200304 Q3 59 82 67 208 
			 200304 Q4 46 114 68 228 
			 200405 Q1 57 n/a 55 112 
			 200405 Q2 48 58 48 154 
			 200405 Q3 52 25 69 146 
			 200405 Q4 50 56 53 159 
		
	
	
		
			  Number waiting more than 14 days 
			  RAP North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust RAL Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust RKE Whittington Hospital NHS Trust Total 
		
		
			 Reporting period   
			 200102 Q4 0 1 25 26 
			 200203 Q1 3 0 24 27 
			 200203 Q2 1 1 14 16 
			 200203 Q3 0 0 0 0 
			 200203 Q4 0 0 0 0 
			 200304 Q1 0 0 0 0 
			 200304 Q2 0 0 0 0 
			 200304 Q3 2 0 1 3 
			 200304 Q4 0 1 0 1 
			 200405 Q1 0 n/a 0 0 
			 200405 Q2 1 1 0 2 
			 200405 Q3 0 0 0 0 
			 200405 Q4 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	n/a=not available
	Source:
	CWT-Db, Department of Health

Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust area waited more than (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) nine months, (d) 12 months, (e) 15 months, (f) 18 months and (g) 24 months for (i) heart operations, (ii) cancer treatment and (iii) hip replacements in each year since 200001; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The finished in-year admission episodes for patients who waited more than three months, six months, nine months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months and 24 months for heart operations, cancer treatment and hip replacements in each year since 200001 for Whittington hospital national health service trust, Royal Free Hampstead NHS trust and North Middlesex University hospital NHS trust are shown in the tables.
	Royal Free Hampstead NHS trust is the only organisation with counts for heart operations in specified waiting time groupings, therefore the other trusts do not appear in table for heart operations.
	The total finished in-year admission episodes for each organisation and years is shown at the bottom of each table. These totals are not equal to the total of the breakdown for waiting time groupings specified in the question because the breakdown excludes counts for up to three months waiting. There are also entries with not known waiting time values in the data which are also excluded from the waiting time grouping breakdown.
	
		Counts of finished in-year admission episodesMain operative procedure heart operations (OPCS-4= K01-K71)NHS hospitals, England 200001 to 200304
		
			  Finished in-year admission episodes 
			 Waiting time grouping 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 RAL Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 
			 More than 3 up to 6 months 283 269 255 297 
			 More than 6 up to 9 months 67 152 204 215 
			 More than 9 up to 12 months 39 37 65 35 
			 More than 12 up to 18 months 25 13 6 11 
			 More than 18 up to 24 months 7  1  
			 More than 24 months1 
			 Total finished in-year admission episodes 1,114 1,169 1,096 1,042 
		
	
	
		Counts of finished in-year admission episodesPrimary diagnosis cancer (ICD-10=C00-D48)NHS hospitals, England 200001 to 200304
		
			  Finished in-year admission episodes 
			 Waiting time grouping 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 RAL Royal Free Hampstead NHS trust 
			 More than 3 up to 6 months 288 235 312 252 
			 More than 6 up to 9 months 89 82 51 64 
			 More than 9 up to 12 months 22 45 41 46 
			 More than 12 up to 18 months 16 27 33 21 
			 More than 18 up to 24 months 9 8 6  
			 More than 24 months 3 1  2 
			 Total finished in-year admission episodes 6,676 4,846 3,441 2,726 
			  
			 RAP North Middlesex University hospital NHS trust 
			 More than 3 up to 6 months 99 121 148 160 
			 More than 6 up to 9 months 41 53 44 71 
			 More than 9 up to 12 months 36 33 26 18 
			 More than 12 up to 18 months 25 30 11 7 
			 More than 18 up to 24 months 3 9 3 3 
			 More than 24 months 4 2 - 1 
			 Total finished in-year admission episodes 1,407 1,647 1,654 1,591 
			  
			 RKE Whittington hospital NHS trust 
			 More than 3 up to 6 months 120 132 113 129 
			 More than 6 up to 9 months 33 29 46 39 
			 More than 9 up to 12 months 16 17 21 13 
			 More than 12 up to 18 months 6 7 7 7 
			 More than 18 up to 24 months 2  1 1 
			 More than 24 months 2
			 Total finished in-year admission episodes 1,572 1,429 2,436 2,336 
		
	
	
		Counts of finished in-year admission episodesMain operative procedure hip replacement (OPCS-4= W37-W39)NHS hospitals, England 200001 to 200304
		
			  Finished in-year admission episodes 
			 Waiting time grouping 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 RAL Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 
			 More than 3 up to 6 months 22 22 18 16 
			 More than 6 up to 9 months 20 15 11 29 
			 More than 9 up to 12 months 13 9 4 12 
			 More than 12 up to 18 months 6 27 21 5 
			 More than 18 up to 24 months  5  1 
			 More than 24 months - - - 1 
			 Total finished in-year admission episodes 83 94 88 85 
			  
			 RAP North Middlesex University hospital NHS trust 
			 More than 3 up to 6 months 10 12 21 27 
			 More than 6 up to 9 months 6 11 14 17 
			 More than 9 up to 12 months 13 12 9 4 
			 More than 12 up to 18 months 9 19 14 6 
			 More than 18 up to 24 months 2 4 2  
			 More than 24 months 4  6 1 
			 Total finished in-year admission episodes 52 68 77 65 
			  
			 RKE Whittington hospital NHS trust 
			 More than 3 up to 6 months 36 37 43 22 
			 More than 6 up to 9 months 19 24 20 15 
			 More than 9 up to 12 months 18 10 25 47 
			 More than 12 up to 18 months 16 14 27 25 
			 More than 18 up to 24 months 3 2 4 6 
			 More than 24 months 1 1 3 4 
			 Total finished in-year admission episodes 135 121 145 139 
		
	
	Notes:
	Finished in-year admissions
	A finished in-year admission is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider, excluding admissions beginning before 1 April at the start of the data year. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	Diagnosis (Primary Diagnosis)
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (7 prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	Main Operation
	The main operation is the first recorded operation in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main operation when looking at admission details, eg. time waited, but the figures for all operations count of episodes give a more complete count of episodes with an operation.
	Ungrossed Data
	Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	Time Waited (days)
	Time waited statistics from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners there were in the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust area in (a) 200102, (b) 200203 and (c) 200304; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		General Medical Practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars)(92) for Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust, 200104
		
			 5C9 Haringey PCT Number (headcount) 
		
		
			 2001 151 
			 2002 148 
			 2003 144 
			 2004 148 
			 December 2004 143 
		
	
	(92)General Medical Practitioners (excluding retainers and registrars) includes Contracted GPs, GMS Others and PMS Others. Prior to September 2004 this group included GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, Salaried Doctors (Para. 52 SFA), PMS Other, Flexible Career Scheme GPs and GP Returners.
	Note:
	Data as at 30 September 200104 and 31 December 2004.
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targeted funding hospitals in the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust area have received for the provision of acute stroke care; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not collected centrally. However, as a part of devolution to the frontline, funding for local health services has been made direct to primary care trusts (PCTs). It is for PCTs to determine how to use the funding allocated to them to commission services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations.

Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing vacancies there are in the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust area; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March 2004NHS three month vacancies for qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff by specified organisationthree month vacancy rates, numbers and staff in post
		
			   All qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 
			   March 2004 September 2004 
			   Three month vacancy rate (percentage) Three month vacancy (number) Staff in post (full-time equivalent) Staff in post (headcount) 
		
		
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust RRP 2.8 21 888 1,003 
			 Haringey PCT 5C9 0.0  252 324 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust RAP 12.6 93 724 964 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust RAL 9.8 149 1,565 1,836 
			 Whittington Hospital NHS Trust RKE 6.6 45 735 823 
		
	
	Sources:
	Health and Social Care Information Centre Vacancies Survey, March 2004
	Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census, September 2004

Health Care Demand (London)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of projected population growth in each London strategic health authority area; what assessment she has made of the likely additional demands placed on the NHS as a result is expected to be; what resources she estimates will be needed to meet the projected increased demand; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The projected population growth for primary care trusts (PCTs) in each London strategic health authority (SHA) area is shown in the table.
	Population projections, produced by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), were used to inform the latest round of revenue allocations to PCTs for 200607 and 200708. In addition, as population projections do not take account of changes in Government policy, such as the growth area initiative, the 200608 allocations include a growth area adjustment for PCTs in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) growth areas. This adjustment is based on the additional increase in population, over and above ONS population projections, which is due to the growth area initiative.
	PCT allocations reflect the demands of a growing population because the population figures used as the basis of PCT target allocations include the expected growth in population.
	
		
			 PCT Growth area 2006 population projection plus growth area population 2007 population projection plus growth area population 
		
		
			 North Central London SHA
			 Barnet  332,126 335,256 
			 Camden  227,563 230,965 
			 Enfield (93)LSCP 266,832 268,238 
			 Haringey Teaching (93)LSCP 235,198 235,281 
			 Islington  184,704 186,091 
			 
			 North East London SHA
			 Barking and Dagenham (94)TG 171,478 173,322 
			 City and Hackney Teaching (93)LSCP 233,273 235,556 
			 Havering (94)TG 238,832 240,225 
			 Newham (94)TG 267,787 269,264 
			 Redbridge (93)LSCP 231,882 233,791 
			 Tower Hamlets (94)TG 215,902 218,725 
			 Waltham Forest (93)LSCP 228,998 229,531 
			 
			 North West London SHA
			 Brent Teaching  271,401 270,065 
			 Haling  317,289 317,475 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham  175,179 176,139 
			 Harrow  197,506 197,867 
			 Hillingdon  243,666 245,284 
			 Hounslow  218,305 218,466 
			 Kensington and Chelsea  205,709 211,514 
			 Westminster  246,597 253,802 
			 
			 South East London SHA
			 Bexley Care Trust (94)TG 210,530 211,522 
			 Bromley  307,030 309,108 
			 Greenwich Teaching (94)TG 241,019 243,389 
			 Lambeth  279,036 278,814 
			 Lewisham (94)TG 248,546 248,479 
			 Southwark  237,702 237,657 
			 
			 South West London SHA
			 Croydon  335,901 337,404 
			 Kingston  169,414 171,252 
			 Richmond and Twickenham  188,266 190,768 
			 Sutton and Merton  366,747 369,030 
			 Wandsworth  271,773 273,170 
		
	
	(93)LSCP: London, Stansted, Cambridge and Peterborough
	(94)TG: Thames Gateway

Health Care Demand (London)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the demands made by the transient population in London in the health service; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The funding of health care for English registered patients receiving health care in London remains with the primary care trust (PCT) where they are registered. The arrangements in place for the funding and reimbursement of the costs of treating patients away from their home are available on the Department's website at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/10/92/19/04109219.pdf
	Under these arrangements, the treating trust invoices the patient's responsible PCT. We reimburse trusts for providing care for charge exempt overseas patients, and other overseas visitors that are not charge exempt should be charged by the trust.

Health Services Administration (Birmingham)

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what bodies for administering health services covering the Birmingham area have been (a) created and (b) abolished since 1985.

Rosie Winterton: In 1985, the Birmingham area was served by the Central Birmingham, East Birmingham, West Birmingham, South Birmingham and North Birmingham district health authorities (DHAs). In addition, Birmingham was also served by the Birmingham family practitioner committee (FPC) until 1990 when FPCs were superseded by family health services authorities (FHSAs). The Birmingham FHSA was formed in 1990 and was subsequently abolished in 1995 following the merger of FHSAs with health authorities.
	The Central Birmingham DHA was abolished in 1991. However, the East Birmingham, West Birmingham, South Birmingham and North Birmingham DHAs remained in existence until 1994 when the North and South Birmingham DHAs were formed. These two health authorities were merged in April 1996 to form the Birmingham Health Authority.
	Primary care trusts (PCTs) were established in 2002 and took over the role of the former HAs, which were abolished with effect from 31 March 2002. Since that date the following PCTs have been responsible for commissioning health services for residents in the Birmingham area; Eastern Birmingham PCT, Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT, North Birmingham PCT and South Birmingham PCT.
	The West Midlands Regional Health Authority (RHA) was also in existence in 1985 until 31 March 1996 when the roles and functions of RHAs were transferred to the regional offices of the Department. The Regional Offices were subsequently abolished on 31 March 2003, prior to which strategic health authorities (SHA) had been set up on 1 April 2002. The Birmingham and the Black Country SHA is the local headquarters of the national health service for the Birmingham and surrounding areas.

Healthcare and Social Care Commissions

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes to primary legislation are required to allow for the merging of the Healthcare and Social Care Commissions.

Jane Kennedy: The Healthcare Commission and Commission for Social Care Inspection were established by part two of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003.
	Merging the two organisations would require either an amendment or a replacement of this legislation and other consequential amendments, for example, to the Care Standards Act 2000.

Hot Weather-related Conditions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 14 June 2005, Official Report, column 306W, on hot weather-related conditions, how many hospital admissions in England were given a hot weather-related primary diagnosis, including sunburn, in each year since 1980, broken down by age.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is shown in the following tables.
	
		Count of discharges based on 10 per cent. samples from hospital inpatient enquiry (HIPE) data for the years 198085, ICD-9 primary diagnosis codes692.7, 992
		
			  Total 
		
		
			 1980 270 
			 1981 460 
			 1982 420 
			 1983 460 
			 1984 370 
			 1985 270 
		
	
	Note:
	HIPE is based on a 10 per cent, sample of all hospital admissions. Age-specific data is not available for the years 19892004.
	
		Count of all finished admission episodes (FAEs), and FAEs admitted via accident and emergency (ADMIMETH = 21, 28) where primary diagnosis is hot weather related illness including sunburn, split by age group 0 to 14, 15 to 64 and 65+. National health service hospitals in England 198990 to 200304
		
			  All finished admissions   Finished admissions admitted via A and E 
			 Data year Total 0 to 14 15 to 64 65+ Unknown Total 0 to 14 15 to 64 65+ Unknown 
		
		
			 198990 148 52 81 13 2 349 89 171 87 2 
			 199091 163 77 67 19  365 116 155 94  
			 199192 115 54 52 8 1 305 78 124 101 2 
			 199293 125 50 63 11 1 371 82 162 126 1 
			 199394 124 66 48 10  424 122 161 141  
			 199495 129 43 68 17 1 426 82 191 152 1 
			 199596 223 78 109 36  357 138 157 62  
			 199697 127 39 63 25  231 86 100 45  
			 199798 148 42 79 27  247 91 117 39  
			 199899 121 44 67 9 1 184 68 100 15 1 
			 19992000 171 50 101 20  276 104 139 33  
			 200001 117 41 66 10  202 86 97 19  
			 200102 144 51 76 17  222 90 109 23  
			 200203 102 41 54 7  157 75 70 12  
			 200304 188 62 95 31  257 96 120 41  
		
	
	Note:
	Please be aware that there is a difference in diagnosis coding before 199596 as the ICD-10 diagnosis codes came into effect in that year. Therefore, the data between the two periods is not normalised exactly. ICD-10 primary diagnosis codes (199596 to 200304)=L55, L590, L740, T67, X30 X32, ICD-9 primary diagnosis codes (198990 to 199495)=692.7, 992.

Intermediate Care Beds

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many intermediate care beds there have been in each year since 1997; and in what health care settings these beds are provided.

Liam Byrne: The available data is shown in the table.
	It is not possible to identify separately which beds are provided in community or cottage hospitals, in specially designated wards in general hospitals, in purpose built new facilities, or in nursing homes.
	
		
			 Financial year Number of intermediate care beds 
		
		
			 2000 4,242 
			 2001 (95) 
			 2002 7,021 
			 2003 7,493 
			 2004 8,697 
			 2005 8,928 
		
	
	(95)Not collected
	Source:
	Chief Executive's report to the national health service, 2005

IVF Treatment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will make it her policy to provide IVF treatment for all relevant NHS patients under 40 years, regardless of where they live;
	(2)  how many IVF treatments were performed by the NHS in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS trust area; and how many patients were involved in each case;
	(3)  what plans she has to ensure that women who would benefit from IVF treatment in the Portsmouth area are able to have up to three treatments.

Caroline Flint: The Department does not collect information centrally on the number of national health service funded invitro fertilization (IVF) treatments carried out. Following the publication in February 2004 of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE) clinical guideline on the assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems, we advised all primary care trusts to offer a minimum of one cycle of IVF by April 2005 to those who meet the clinical criteria, giving priority to couples with no children living with them, and to make progress to full implementation of the guideline in the longer term. The primary responsibility for the implementation of NICE guidelines rests with the NHS at local level and compliance with NICE guidance by NHS organisations will be considered by the Healthcare Commission during their review and performance assessment processes.

London Hospitals (Budgets)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget was of the (a) Whittington hospital, (b) Royal Free hospital Hampstead, (c) North Middlesex university hospital and (d) Haringey teaching primary care trust St. Ann's hospital in each of the last five years; and whether each hospital was (i) in deficit and (ii) had a surplus at each year end.

Jane Kennedy: The latest year for which audited data on the financial position of national health service organisations is available is 200304. The budget and financial position for Whittington hospital, Royal Free hospital Hampstead, North Middlesex university hospital and Haringey teaching primary care trust St.Ann's hospital which is part of the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, in each of the last five years is shown in the table.
	
		Total income and retained surplus/(deficit) for 19992000 to 200304 --  thousands
		
			 NHS Trust 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust:  
			 Income 81,485 85,941 99,084 105,099 110,694 
			 Surplus/(deficit) (1,433) 0 8 (988) (3,400) 
			   
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust:  
			 Income 246,209 266,340 254,983 277,016 303,585 
			 Surplus/(deficit) (4,613) 1,866 5,216 (1,447) (961) 
			   
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust:  
			 Income 71,898 86,050 90,451 103,409 112,928 
			 Surplus/(deficit) (3,291) 6,206 0 0 (989) 
			   
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust   
			 Income n/a n/a 119,598 131,456 144,424 
			 Surplus/(deficit) n/a n/a 4 (686) (924) 
		
	
	Note:
	Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust was not formed until 1 April 2001.
	Source:
	Audited summarisation schedules of the above NHS trusts, 19992000 to 200304.

Mental Health

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what long-term funding for infrastructure is available to support voluntary organisations working to meet the mental health needs of black and minority ethnic communities.

Rosie Winterton: In January 2005, the Department published Delivering Race Equality in Mental Health Care (ORE), a five-year action plan for improving services for black and minority ethnic (BME) communities. An important component of the plan is better engagement between mental health service providers and their local communities. To that end the National Institute for Mental Health in England will invest around 2 million over the next two years in up to 80 local community engagement projects. An objective of each of the projects will be to secure longer-term funding. Applications from community organisations for funding to run projects in the current year will be invited shortly.
	ORE is clear about the need for statutory national health service and local authority services to integrate the voluntary sector more fully and permanently into the planning and provision of mental health care for BME patients. As voluntary organisations take on that expanded role, we expect appropriate funding to follow from primary care trusts and local authorities.
	In addition my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, through the section 64 general scheme of grants (section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968), has the power to make grants to voluntary organisations whose activities support the Department's policy priorities. In the current financial year, 607,000 has been awarded to organisations working to meet the mental health needs of BME communities.

Mixed Sex Wards

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the use of mixed sex wards will cease.

Rosie Winterton: The Government set a target for the elimination of mixed sex accommodation in 95 per Cent. of trusts by December 2002. This target was achieved. No further targets have been set for this area.
	Guidance issued to the national health service requires the provision of single-sex accommodation, which can take a number of forms. NHS trusts may provide single rooms, single sex bays, single-sex wards or combinations of these types.
	The provision of single-sex accommodation is measured by compliance with three specific objectives set by the Department. These are designed to deliver separate sleeping areas for men and women, separate bathrooms and toilet facilities for men and women, and for those trusts delivering mental health services, safe facilities for patients in hospital who are mentally ill.
	Compliance with the objectives is measured at trust level. The position of each NHS Trust was published on 26 May 2005 and is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/21/41/04112141.pdf and is available in the Library.

MRI Scans/Scanners

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list hospitals which have MRI scanners; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) on 20 June 2005, Official Report, column 785W.

MRI Scans/Scanners

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many MRI scans have been carried out at the University hospital, North Durham since 200l.

Liam Byrne: This information is not held centrally.

NHS Circular 1999/176

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of NHS Circular 1999/176 in each year of its application; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: I have not made such an assessment.

NHS Healthcare Commission (Complaints)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints have been received by the NHS Healthcare Commission in each (a) London primary care trust and (b) London strategic health authority in the last 12 months.

Jane Kennedy: The Healthcare Commission took on responsibility for the independent review of national health service complaints not resolved at local level at the end of July 2004. Information from the Commission on the number of complaints about London primary care trusts (PCTs) and London strategic health authorities (SHAs) is shown in the tables.
	
		Independent review requests, complaints about London PCTs, received between 31 July 2004 and 23 June 2005
		
			 Provider PCT Number of complaints 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 5 
			 Barnet 7 
			 Bexley 1 
			 Brent Teaching 2 
			 Bromley 10 
			 Camden 10 
			 City and Hackney Teaching 8 
			 Croydon 17 
			 Ealing 12 
			 Enfield 9 
			 Greenwich Teaching 6 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 4 
			 Haringey Teaching 8 
			 Harrow 9 
			 Havering 6 
			 Hillingdon 10 
			 Hounslow 4 
			 Islington 2 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 4 
			 Kingston 2 
			 Lambeth 3 
			 Lewisham 5 
			 Newham 7 
			 Redbridge 5 
			 Richmond and Twickenham 2 
			 Southwark 4 
			 Sutton and Merton 7 
			 Tower Hamlets 4 
			 Waltham Forest 10 
			 Wandsworth 6 
			 Westminster 6 
			 Total 195 
		
	
	
		Independent review requests, complaints about London SHAs
		
			 Provider SHA Number of complaints 
		
		
			 North West London 1 
			 North Central London 2 
			 North East London 6 
			 South West London 1 
			 Total 10

Patientline Contract

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the forecast financial benefit to the NHS is of the contract with Patientline in the financial year ended March 2005.

Jane Kennedy: The national health service does not benefit financially by entering into contracts with Patientline for the provision of television (TV) and telephone services at the patient's bedside. Patientline is responsible for the cost of installing and maintaining the systems. Patients are charged directly for the services used. The provision of bedside TVs and telephones gives patients more control over their environment whilst in hospital, including the ability to watch a personal TV and remain in direct contact with relatives and friends.

Prison Counsellors

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) psychotherapist and (b) psychodynamic counsellors are available to prisoners; what steps are being taken to increase the number available to prisoners; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Information about the numbers of psychotherapists and psychodynamic counsellors available to prisoners is not collected centrally. Decisions about mental health services at individual prisons and the skill mixes necessary to deliver them are matters for the establishments concerned and their national health service partners. The commitment in the NHS plan (July 2000) that, by April 2004, some 300 additional staff would be employed on the delivery of such services has been met.

Private Diagnostic and Treatment Centres

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether agency nurses, doctors or technicians who have worked in the NHS in the preceding six months can work for a private diagnostic and treatment centre;
	(2)  on how many occasions her Department has agreed to waive the requirement on private sector providers that they must not employ staff who have worked in the NHS in the previous six months.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 27 June 2005
	Providers of independent sector treatment centres must not employ or engage doctors or health care professionals who have been employed or otherwise engaged in the national health service within the previous six months period. This restriction applies to staff employed by an agency who have been engaged in work for the NHS.
	A process is in place by which an independent sector provider may apply for a waiver of the restriction in relation to a specified person. Such applications are considered individually and a waiver may be granted in exceptional circumstances. To date, nine waivers from the six months restriction have been granted.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into whether selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can increase the likelihood of suicide in certain patients; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what guidance her Department has issued to GPs regarding the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what measures are being taken to reduce the prescribing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated concerning the impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on (i) pregnant women and (ii) unborn foetuses; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: On 6 December 2004, a letter was sent to all health professionals in the United Kingdom from the Chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) announcing the results of the review of the safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) conducted by an expert working group of the CSM and providing prescribing advice for all SSRIs. A copy of the review is available in the Library.
	On the same day, the then National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), now the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, published guidelines on the management of depression in primary care. These guidelines state that antidepressants are not recommended for the initial treatment of mild depression because the risk-benefit ratio is poor.
	The expert working group of the CSM carefully considered the available data on a possible link between SSRIs and suicidal behaviour from published and unpublished trials, spontaneous reporting data from health professionals and patients, evidence from key stakeholders and data from the general practice research database (GPRD).
	The expert working group concluded that from the available clinical trial data, a modest increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and self-harm compared to placebo can not be ruled out. However, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that there is any marked difference between members of the class of SSRIs, or between SSRIs and other antidepressants, with respect to their influence on suicidal behaviour.
	Evidence from non-experimental studies based on the GPRD indicated that there is no increased risk of suicidal behaviour with SSRIs compared with tricyclic antidepressants. One of the GPRD studies was commissioned by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
	Information about the use of SSRIs during pregnancy is included in the prescribing information for healthcare professionals, the summary of product characteristics. This advice is based on pre-clinical studies, carried out prior to licensing, and continuous post-marketing surveillance of pregnancy outcomes.

Sexual Health

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that every (a) sexual health clinic and (b) accident and emergency department offers post-exposure prophylaxis to its users.

Caroline Flint: Primary care trusts are responsible for providing sexual health services, which meet the needs of their local populations. To support them in this role, the Department has worked with leading professional bodies to produce the recommended standards for national health service HIV services (2003). These highlight the need to make post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) available to those who need it.
	The decision on whether to offer PEP for the purposes of preventing HIV transmission should be taken by clinicians in consultation with the patient, and will depend upon the particular circumstances. The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, and the Government's expert advisory group on AIDS (EAGA) have both published guidance to help clinicians and EAGA keep the evidence on the effectiveness of PEP under review.
	The Department has also funded the Terrence Higgins Trust to undertake a campaign to raise awareness of PEPamong those at risk of non-occupational HIV transmission. Following a successful evaluation, this campaign will be rolled-out across the country.

Sterile Services Departments

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether inspection of sterile services departments forms part of the Healthcare Commission's performance ratings.

Jane Kennedy: In July 2004, the Department issued Standards for Better Health, the first ever national standards for the national health service. The Healthcare Commission will be assessing and rating the NHS against these standards from 200506. Core standard four says that:
	Health care organisations keep patients, staff and visitors safe by having systems to ensure that:
	the risk of health care acquired infection to patients is reduced, with particular emphasis on high standards of hygiene and cleanliness, achieving year on year reductions in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus;
	all risks associated with the acquisition and use of medical devices are minimised;
	all reusable medical devices are properly decontaminated prior to use and that the risks associated with decontamination facilities and processes are well managed;
	medicines are handled safely and securely; and
	the prevention, segregation, handling, transport and disposal of waste is properly managed so as to minimise the risks to the health and safety of staff, patients, the public and the safety of the environment.